'Ready to go': Marcus Harris stakes genuine Test selection claim as fellow Aussies fall against India A
Updated . First published at
A half-century on day two for opener Marcus Harris in the Australia A tour match against India A has given selectors something serious to ponder ahead of the summer.
Harris dominated at the MCG on Friday as Australia A were bowled out for 223, with a 62-run lead heading into the second innings.
Fellow opening batter Nathan McSweeney fell for just 14 off 30 deliveries, while Cameron Bancroft was out for 3.
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Marcus Harris bats during Australia A and India A's tour match at the MCG. Getty
The pair both fell on day one, with Harris entering the second day of play on an unbeaten 26.
Additionally, youngster Sam Konstas failed to launch, also managing just 3 off 18 balls.
It's left the door wide open for Harris to step right up and nab the second opener spot alongside Usman Khawaja ahead of Australia's Test series against India.
His 74 came off 138 deliveries, headlined by five boundaries.
Speaking to media at stumps, Harris was asked if his performance was enough to earn him Australia's vacant top-order spot.
"I don't know," he said.
"I feel like I've been batting well, but so have lots of other people.
Sam Konstas of Australia A walks from the field after being dismissed. Getty
"If I get called upon I feel like I'm ready to go. If I don't, then so be it.
"I feel pretty well-equipped. I think maybe if I was in this position 12 months ago, I probably wouldn't have been able to perform the way I have at the start of this season. My results last year probably said that. So I've been proud of that."
But his 47th first-class half-century didn't come without controversy.
Sitting on 48, Indian spin bowler Tanush Kotian appealed desperately after the visitors were certain they'd caught Harris behind.
Kotian's ball spun unforgivably and looked to have nicked Harris' bat before being caught at first slip, but a non-reaction from the umpire left India fuming and Harris breathing a sigh of relief.
The 32-year-old left-handed batsman took it in his stride, going on to notch his fifty a few balls later.
"I hit my pad on the way through," Harris later explained.
"We watched the replay. The boys said they watched it 20 times and couldn't really tell.
"God's honest truth I wasn't sure [if I'd hit it].
"It just went my way."
Marcus Harris of Australia A raises his bat after scoring 50 during Australia A and India A's tour match at the MCG. Getty
And while Konstas, who is just 19 years old, may have been thrown into the opening conversation a little too soon, it gave Harris the perfect opportunity to capitalise.
And capitalise he has.
Oliver Davies (13 off 20) and Beau Webster (5 off 16) struggled to impact with bat in hand before Jimmy Peirson (30 off 70) and Nathan McAndrew (26) calmed the troops.
The Australian Test side is expected to be selected after the Australia A tour has concluded.
