Australian News Today

Hopeful Harris as ‘ready’ as ever for Test return

Hopeful Harris as ‘ready’ as ever for Test return

The race to open the batting for Australia is not finished yet, with Victorian Marcus Harris making a late play for the spot.

Harris made 74 of Australia A’s 223 on the second day of their tour match against India A at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.

South Australian captain Nathan McSweeney was the clear frontrunner before the match — which serves as the final audition for contenders — but Harris’ score will give selectors something fresh to think about.

It came after McSweeney made 14 and both Cam Bancroft and Sam Konstas failed in the first innings, closing the door on their Test hopes.

Selectors have given candidates until the end of this match to stake their claim, leaving them just the second innings at the weekend to lunge for the line.

A spicy MCG wicket troubled batters on day two and India A limped to stumps at 5-73. The visitors lead by 11 runs and are likely to only leave Australia’s batters a small chase.

Asked if he had done enough to win the spot in the Test side, Harris replied “I don’t know, it’s a good question”.