EXCLUSIVE: Marcus Harris shouldn't fear losing spot in XI in wake of Usman Khawaja ton, Mark Taylor says
Mark Taylor sees Usman Khawaja's century-scoring return to Australia's Test side as "a terrific story", but the former national captain believes the brilliant knock shouldn't have Marcus Harris fearing for his place in the team.
Filling in at five for Travis Head after Australia's vice-captain was felled by COVID-19, Khawaja compiled a beautiful 137 across the first two days of the Sydney Test.
Khawaja's admirers were in the millions as he tucked a Jack Leach delivery off his right hip to bring up his ninth Test hundred during the final over before tea – a sweet moment for a man who's endured a stop-start career at the top level and who's impossible not to love.
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While it's unfeasible to think Khawaja's century in the fourth Ashes Test will keep Head out of the side, it's not unreasonable to wonder if the left-hander will retain his position at the expense of Harris at the top of the order.
Usman Khawaja scored a splendid Ashes century in Sydney, but Mark Taylor doesn't think Marcus Harris should be worrying about his place in the team. Getty
Harris has continued to endure a grim run in the Test arena during this Ashes series, managing scores of three, nine not out, three, 23, 76 and 38.
But Taylor has dismissed the notion of Khawaja replacing Harris at the top of the order.
"I don't think Marcus Harris is under any pressure. I'd be surprised if they made that move," Taylor told Wide World of Sports.
"Harris top-scored in the last Test, he got 30 yesterday in tough conditions, so he did a pretty good job. I think he's done enough to at least see out this series and get himself on the next tour."
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Australia will travel to Pakistan, the country of Khawaja's birth, for three Tests, three one-dayers and one T20 match across March and April.
Khawaja averages a tick over 40 in Test cricket but has struggled on the sub-continent.
He's played five Tests in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh for an average of just 14.62.
However, what the stats don't show is he's developed a sweep shot since last playing a Test on the sub-continent in 2017, in a bid to be more effective against the turning ball in spinner-friendly conditions.
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Marcus Harris has struggled in the Test arena. Getty
"I don't think you want to be chopping and changing your batsmen around too much," Taylor nonetheless said.
"I don't think Khawaja's hundred puts him up to open the batting and sees Harris out of the side."
Taylor sees a positive in a batter of Khawaja's calibre struggling to retain his spot in the Test XI.
"It'll be tough – no doubt about it. But that's the sign of a good side – leaving good players on the outer," Taylor said.
Usman Khawaja busts out LeBron James' 'Silencer' celebration after making a century in the SCG Test. Getty
"Providing Travis Head is fine to play the next Test match – he's got to come back in because he played well in the first three.
"It might just be a case of ... Usman being the unlucky one and he's back out for the next Test match."
Australia wrapped up the Ashes series in an innings defeat of England in Melbourne.
The hosts declared at 8-416 on day two of the SCG Test and had five overs at England's openers before stumps. Haseeb Hameed and Zak Crawley survived the awkward period, reaching stumps at 0-13.
The fifth Test will be played as a day-night fixture at Hobart's Bellerive Arena, beginning on January 14.
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