Cricket

Marcus Harris, the 32-year-old opener, has expressed his readiness to take on the challenge of opening the batting for Australia in the upcoming first Test against India in Perth. Harris has been in impressive form for Australia A, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure.In the final game against India A at the MCG, Harris produced a gritty 74 on a difficult batting surface. Despite the other Test contenders failing to impress, Harris remained composed and played a crucial role in Australia A's innings.Australia's chairman of selectors, George Bailey, was present at the MCG but has yet to confirm the Test squad. However, it is widely expected that Harris and Nathan McSweeney will be included in an expanded squad of 13 players.Harris acknowledged the external pressure surrounding his potential selection but emphasized his readiness to perform if called upon. He highlighted his improved batting form and mental resilience compared to previous seasons.Harris has been the only player in the Australia A squad to open the batting in both matches against India A. He believes that the selectors' decision to have him open in both games may indicate their intentions.Despite the scrutiny and speculation, Harris has remained focused on his performance. He has embraced the media attention and learned from his experiences in the past.Harris has also credited his improved batting technique to the guidance of Victoria coach Chris Rogers. Rogers has emphasized the importance of rotating the strike and scoring with control, rather than relying solely on boundaries.Harris acknowledged the element of luck involved in his innings, but he also emphasized the importance of playing and missing well and edging the ball close to the wicketkeeper. He also benefited from a fortunate not-out decision when he was given the benefit of the doubt on a potential edge.Overall, Marcus Harris is confident in his abilities and believes he is well-equipped to handle the pressure of opening the batting for Australia in the first Test against India.

Marcus Harris' gritty 74 and a crucial last-wicket stand between Corey Rocchiccioli and Nathan McAndrew propelled Australia A to a 62-run first innings lead over India A on a rain-affected second day at the MCG.Harris, vying for a Test recall, held Australia A's innings together through two rain delays, anchoring the innings with a patient knock. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, valuable contributions from Jimmy Peirson, McAndrew, and Rocchiccioli helped Australia A post a competitive 223.Prasidh Krishna continued his impressive tour with four wickets, while Mukesh Kumar bagged three for India A. However, India A's second innings faltered, losing five wickets for 73 runs. McAndrew and Beau Webster did the damage in the absence of Michael Neser, who injured his hamstring on day one.KL Rahul, who is being considered as a potential replacement for Rohit Sharma in the first Test in Perth, failed again, falling for just 10 to the offspin of Rocchiccioli in bizarre fashion. Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sai Sudharsan, and Ruturaj Gaikwad also departed cheaply, leaving India A in a precarious position.Jurel and Nitish Kumar Reddy held the innings together for India A, but the lead remains a slender 11 runs at stumps. The pitch has proven challenging for both sides, with only Harris and Peirson managing to pass 35 so far.Australia A's last-wicket stand could prove crucial in the context of the match, as they look to build a substantial lead and put pressure on India A. The third day promises to be pivotal, with India A needing to bat with resilience and Australia A aiming to capitalize on their advantage.

Captain Pat Cummins has downplayed the significance of the "bat off" for the final spot in Australia's Test team, but acknowledges its value as a "final piece of information." The four contenders for the vacant opening spot, Marcus Harris, Nathan McSweeney, Sam Konstas, and Cameron Bancroft, have been showcasing their skills in the Australia A game against India A.While McSweeney has emerged as the standout performer, Cummins emphasizes that the Australia A games are not the sole determinant for selection. He notes that some players have limited Shield cricket experience, while others have played for over a decade. The quartet is expected to get another chance to impress in the second four-day game at the MCG.Cummins is not concerned about making a late decision, as the current selection panel and leadership group prioritize giving players certainty. He believes that whoever is selected will have gained valuable experience and be well-prepared for the pressure of a Test debut.Regarding the batting order, Cummins suggests that Marnus Labuschagne could potentially open the batting to accommodate McSweeney at No. 3, his usual position in first-class cricket. However, he emphasizes that the batting order will be determined based on the overall functionality of the team.Cummins feels physically refreshed after skipping the UK tour to focus on training. He explains that he opted out of a Shield game to prioritize gym work and build up his fitness. He believes the ODIs against Pakistan will provide him with a good lead-in to the first Test.It remains uncertain whether Cummins will play all three ODIs against Pakistan. He has confirmed his participation in the first two, but may miss the final game in Perth to avoid unnecessary travel. If he does miss the Perth match, Australia will need to find a captain, with Mitchell Marsh unavailable due to paternity leave.

With Cameron Green's back injury and Steven Smith's return to the middle order, Australia's Test selection plans for the summer have undergone significant changes. Several players are vying for a spot in the squad, with a combination of Sheffield Shield and Australia A matches providing opportunities to impress.Top-Order Contenders:Marcus Harris, despite a strong start to the season, faces competition from Cameron Bancroft, who has consistently performed in the Shield. Sam Konstas, a promising 19-year-old, has also emerged as a potential candidate. Matt Renshaw, a former Test player, remains in contention despite being overlooked for the Australia A squad.Allrounder Options:With Green's absence, the search for a like-for-like replacement is unlikely. Beau Webster, a Tasmanian allrounder, has impressive batting and bowling numbers. Aaron Hardie, another emerging allrounder, will have opportunities to showcase his skills in the ODI and T20I series against Pakistan.Reserve Batter:Nathan McSweeney, the South Australia captain, is highly regarded for his run-scoring and leadership. He could be considered as a reserve batter, potentially opening up the possibility of an incumbent moving up the order.Bowlers:Scott Boland and Michael Neser are the frontrunners to provide backup to the established pace trio. Sean Abbott, who has previous Test experience, could also be in contention due to his batting depth.Upcoming Matches:The Sheffield Shield and Australia A matches will provide crucial opportunities for players to stake their claim. Harris will face a stern test against New South Wales, while Konstas will take on Scott Boland at the MCG. Webster and Hardie will feature in the Australia A series, where strong performances could enhance their chances of a Test call-up.

Victoria and Tasmania played out a tame draw on day four of their Sheffield Shield clash at the Junction Oval in Melbourne, with the lifeless pitch preventing any prospect of a result.Marcus Harris continued his impressive form with a second-innings 52, adding to his first-innings century. However, the lack of bounce and pace in the wicket made it impossible for Tasmania to take 10 wickets in the time remaining.Harris's innings was characterized by his trademark fluency, striking eight boundaries before nicking a full delivery from Kieran Elliott. Ash Chandrasinghe also impressed, scoring 44 before being bowled by Matt Kuhnemann.Victoria's second innings reached 120 for 2 off 52 overs, with Campbell Kellaway and Peter Handscomb remaining unbeaten. Tasmania had declared overnight with a 99-run lead, but the flat pitch made it clear that a result was unlikely.Despite the disappointing outcome, Harris was pleased with his performance. He revealed that he had spoken to Australia selector Tony Dodemaide about the possibility of playing for Australia A against India A in the upcoming weeks."He asked if I wanted to bat six and bowl seam up in the Test side," Harris joked. "He was just talking about the Aussie A stuff. I think that'll come out the next few days."Victoria coach Chris Rogers and Tasmania coach Jeff Vaughan expressed frustration at the lack of a result. They acknowledged the challenges of preparing a lively wicket early in the season, but Rogers admitted that the current surface was "not great for cricket."Vaughan echoed Rogers' sentiments, stating that it is "darn hard at this time of year to get high-quality result wickets."

Victoria's Marcus Harris and Peter Handscomb have showcased their batting prowess with twin centuries against Tasmania on the opening day of the Sheffield Shield season. Harris, with 143 runs, and Handscomb, with 129 runs, put together a formidable 239-run partnership, propelling Victoria to a strong position of 330 for 7 at stumps.Harris, known for his affinity with the Junction Oval, displayed his class with a fluent innings, driving and cutting the ball with precision. Handscomb, continuing his impressive form from the county championship, provided a steady presence, allowing Harris to flourish.However, Tasmania's bowlers fought back late in the day, with Gabe Bell claiming three wickets, including Harris' dismissal. Beau Webster and Brad Hope also contributed with wickets, leaving the game evenly poised.Harris' century serves as a timely reminder of his Test credentials, with Cameron Green's availability for the upcoming series against India uncertain. Handscomb, while less likely to be considered for the Test series, has strengthened his case for a spot on the tour of Sri Lanka in January-February.The match highlights the depth of batting talent in Australia, with both Harris and Handscomb demonstrating their ability to score big runs in challenging conditions. As the Sheffield Shield season progresses, the competition for Test selection will intensify, and these performances will undoubtedly be closely monitored by the national selectors.

Australian opener Marcus Harris anchored Leicestershire's innings on a rain-affected opening day of the Vitality County Championship match against Derbyshire at Derby. Despite Derbyshire's fielding lapses, Harris remained unbeaten on 77 from 147 deliveries, guiding Leicestershire to a respectable 168 for 2.Derbyshire's decision to bowl first on a green-tinged pitch backfired as Harris and Rishi Patel put on a 50-run partnership before rain halted play shortly after midday. Patel was dropped on nine by Aneurin Donald, while Harris received two reprieves from Wayne Madsen.Upon resumption, Derbyshire's bowlers continued to struggle, with Harris edging Anuj Dal to Madsen, who once again failed to hold on. However, Blair Tickner broke the partnership by dismissing Patel for 36, finding enough away movement to beat his forward defensive push.Rain returned shortly after, keeping the players off the field until 5.30pm. When play resumed, Derbyshire claimed a second wicket when Louis Kimber edged Sam Conners to Donald at third slip.Harris and skipper Lewis Hill (34 not out) then took control, scoring freely in the closing overs to leave Leicestershire in a strong position heading into day two.