Bowling a bouncer was the last thing on Ryan Harris's mind when he made an emotional return to training in the wake of mate Phillip Hughes' tragic death.
But the Test quick admitted they were "inevitable" if Australia were to eventually - and it seems reluctantly - return to their trademark aggressive style.
Harris sent down 60 deliveries in the Queensland Bulls training nets on Tuesday - but not one of them was a bumper.
Harris is preparing for the rescheduled first Test against India at Adelaide starting next Tuesday, two weeks after the 25-year-old Hughes was felled by a bouncer.
But Harris said he would not know when he would be mentally ready to play let alone bowl a bouncer again until after Hughes' funeral in Macksville on Wednesday.
However, the burly speedster conceded he would have to one day start peppering batsmen again.
"It's a tough one to answer to be honest," he told reporters.
"I bowled 60 balls today and I didn't bowl a bouncer."
But Harris added: "I think it is inevitable what is going to happen, it's part of the game.
"I have been bowling bouncers for a long time and I have hit guys before.
"I can't speak for anyone else but it is going to happen.
"I am sure we will get back to the way we were playing last summer but it's going to be tough because we base our game on aggression."
Harris hoped Hughes' funeral would provide some closure but conceded no player would know if he'd be ready for the first Test until the whole team regrouped in Adelaide.
However, Harris said returning to cricket had helped him after losing his mother Gai to lung cancer in 2006.
"Every individual is different. I have lost my mother before and I was pushed to play for my father and my brother and it probably helped," he said.
"(And) keeping busy this morning has probably not allowed me to sit around and think about the funeral tomorrow.
"I will have to get to Adelaide and see how we all feel.
"(But) tomorrow is the day we are all thinking about."
Harris looked sharp in the nets as he prepared for his first Test since March due to knee surgery.
But fitness queries seemed inconsequential to Harris on Tuesday.
"It does seem mundane doesn't it," he said of his fitness.
"But my knee is pretty good.
"I needed bowling, I have obviously been limited with what has happened but I feel as though I have enough."
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