Former Australian head coach Dareen Lehmann has backed Marcus Harris to open in the first Test match against India. Harris has been in fine form in the domestic circuit and also received his maiden call-up to the national squad for the first two Test matches against India. The southpaw batsman is currently the leading run-getter in the Sheffield Shield with 437 runs.
The left-hander also scored a gargantuan knock of unbeaten 250 runs for his side Victoria while playing against New South Wales. Thus, Harris has received the call for his consistency in the domestic circuit.
Marcus Harris deserves his chance.
“He (Harris) is the in-form player of the competition and has an outstanding record over the last two years,” he told Macquarie Sports Radio. “I would have liked to have got Renshaw in there, but he hasn’t scored enough runs.”
Meanwhile, Aaron Finch is likely to open in the first Test match. The right-hander was able to tee off his Test career in style as he was consistent against Pakistan. However, there is still uncertainty for Finch’s partner.
Usman Khawaja is also included in the Test squad after recuperating from the knee injury. Darren Lehmann wants the left-hander to bat at three whereas he gets Peter Handscomb who has a good game against the spinners.
“If Ashwin plays then I’m playing (Peter) Handscomb as he helps negate Ashwin,” he said. “I would name both (Travis Head and Handscomb) in the squad and then see how India shape up.”
Darren Lehmann said it is a tough job to select the playing XI for the first Test match. However, he believes whosoever is selected must be backed to the hilt.
“It’s the toughest job selecting the first Test of the summer,” Lehmann said. “But whoever we pick we have to back 100 percent.”
Marcus Harris has scored a truckload of runs in the domestic circuit and deserves his chance in the playing XI. Hence, it would be interesting to note Australia’s playing combination.