Scout sets sights on rehabbing Kankakee fitness trail

What does a cross country runner think about when he's competing?

While some might focus first on their pace, their breathing or their competition, 15-year-old Jacob Quigley, of Bourbonnais, makes time to check out his environment.

That's how this Bishop McNamara Catholic High School sophomore discovered the project he hopes will earn him the Boy Scouts of America's Eagle status. He's practiced at the vita course behind Gov. Small Memorial Park, and Quigley ran across the idea of fixing up the deteriorating physical fitness trail.

"My coach [Ken Klipp] sort of mentioned it. And I studied how it could be improved," he said. The next stop was meeting with Troop 319 Scoutmaster Jim Anders to get approval for his plans for Kankakee's southwest side park.

"Now, I've done the research. I've talked to the [Kankakee Valley] Park District people [Tom Schelling], and I have a plan.

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Ashes 2013: Australia face further misery as seamer Ryan Harris faces fitness battle ahead of winter Test series

Harris, 33, was Australia's man of the series in the recent Test tour of England - claiming 24 wickets at 19.58 in four matches.

That was the first time he has ever played four Tests in a row due to a career-long battle with fitness problems.

Indeed, he has worn the Baggy Green just 16 times since his debut in March 2010 despite being considered one of his country's most incisive bowlers and boasting a superb record.

A Cricket Australia statement read: "Ryan Harris injured his right hamstring during the latter part of the second innings on the fifth Ashes Test. He had to leave the field and did not return to the game as he was unable to bowl.

"He was assessed after arriving back in Australia today and is expected to be unavailable to play for the next 6-8 weeks."

He was left out of this summer's Ashes opener at Trent Bridge but was arguably the most consistent pace man from either side after his belated arrival in the Lord's Test.

Speaking after taking five wickets in his first innings of the series, Harris said his ambition stretched only as far as flying home with his team-mates when the time came, rather than alone with yet another injury.

He managed that in the end, but only just. He was forced to watch the thrilling climax to the final Test from the dressing room at the Kia Oval having felt his hamstring tighten.

The first Test in Brisbane begins on November 21, leaving Harris with limited rehabilitation time should his recovery be completed as expected.

It is the latest in a succession of fitness issues among Australia's talented pace division, with Pat Cummins, James Pattinson and Jackson Bird all being struck down with back injuries in the last few weeks.

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Ashes 2013: England hopeful over Kevin Pietersen fitness

The batsman was not on the field as his team-mates wrapped up a 347-run win in the second Test at Lord's on Sunday, having suffered a calf strain.

He provided an update on his recovery yesterday, tweeting that he was "stuck on a sofa tightly fastened to an ice machine" in a bid to be ready for Old Trafford on August 1.

And fast bowler James Anderson said today: "As far as I know it was a strain so we'll keep our fingers crossed that he'll be fine for the Old Trafford Test.

"For him more than most, the next 10 days will be crucial, a lot of rehab and trying to get himself fit for next week - which we're all hoping he will be."

There are no such problems with another of England's batting line-up after Joe Root continued his rapid rise by making 180 in the second innings at Lord's.

"He's been amazing," said Anderson of the 22-year-old Yorkshireman.

"There's a lot of pressure on this series and for someone so young to take it in his stride, it's a great credit to him - he seems to thrive off it, almost.

"The way he has dealt with it will stand him in good stead for the future and I'm sure he's got a big future ahead of him."

Anderson expects his home track in Manchester to follow the pattern established so far in the series, with reverse swing to the fore and help also available for spinner Graeme Swann, who took nine wickets last week including five for 44 in the first innings to add his name to the honours board at Lord's.

"I can't imagine it'll be too different from what we've had in the first two games, so Swanny should be involved at some point," he said.

"Reverse swing is very common at Old Trafford and it's very dry, with the weather we've been having, so I imagine that's the same at the moment.

"Obviously I'm delighted to be playing at my home ground, very excited about it.

"I've never played an Ashes Test there, I've not played a Test there for maybe three or four years. All my friends and family will be there watching so I can't wait."

(Edited by Nick Pearce)

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