Harris keeps spot as Langer throws his support behind the struggling opener
Marcus Harris will open for Australia in the Boxing Day Test, despite a run of poor performances with the bat.
Key points:
- Marcus Harris has failed to reach 50 in the last 14 innings where he has been dismissed
- Australia coach Justin Langer said Harris is the man to open with David Warner
- With a win or draw in the Boxing Day Test, Australia will retain the Ashes
Harris’s spot in Australia’s Ashes team has been in the spotlight since his latest poor turn in Adelaide, with the opener failing to reach 50 in his last 14 dismissals.
Figures this week showed that his Test average of 22.19 is one of the worst among regular openers for Australia in 128 years.
But, just as the likes of Steve Waugh and others did when Justin Langer’s spot was under pressure during his own playing career, Australia’s coach says he will stand by his opener.
“He’ll play in the Test, no worries about that,” Langer said on Thursday.
“This is his home ground. He’s played a lot at the MCG.
“He hasn’t made the runs he’d like to so far, but he dominates domestic cricket. So he knows that he knows how to play.
Langer’s comments come after Steve Smith and Travis Head also came out in support of the Harris — after he made scores of three and 23 in Adelaide.
Chief selector George Bailey also made clear weeks before the series that Harris was the man to open with Warner, and he would have a long run at the role.
Langer shares a close bond with Harris, having known him since his early teens as a fellow left-handed opener coming through the West Australian ranks.
His support is also reminiscent of the ongoing backing Waugh offered Langer through his career, when he often found himself under pressure, despite finishing with a Test average of 45.27
“That’s absolutely one of the most important things in life, knowing people have got your back,” Langer said.
“My experience, when Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Mark Taylor or Allan Border said, ‘You’re in the team’, you feel like Superman.
“You feel like you’re important to the team and Marcus Harris is important to the team.”
Australia heads into the third match of the series with a two-nil lead over England.
Victory in Melbourne would secure a series victory for the Australians, while a draw would ensure they retain the Ashes urn.
AAP/ABC
