Australia coach Justin Langer on Thursday said struggling opener Marcus Harris will play in the Boxing Day Ashes Test in Melbourne and backed pacer Mitchell Starc to recover from a rib injury.
Harris’ Test career appeared in doubt after another failure in the day-night second Test in Adelaide this week, where he scored just three and 23 as Australia beat England by 275 runs.
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It followed just 12 of the two innings in the home team’s nine-wicket victory in the first Test in Brisbane.
But Langer said he still believes the 29-year-old will be successful alongside David Warner, who has had several opening partners during his 10-year Test career.
“He will play in Tests, no worries about that. This is his home ground. He has played a lot at the MCG. He hasn’t scored runs yet, but he dominates domestic cricket. So he He knows he has to play. For him and for us, we are hoping he plays well and shares a good partnership with Davy Warner in this Boxing Day Test match.”
Finding a long-term partner has been a problem for Warner since the retirement of Chris Rogers after the 2015 Ashes, with Harris averaging just 22.19 in his 12 Tests and a top score of just 79.
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Langer said maintaining an orderly line-up was key to Harris’ confidence.
“It’s one of the most important things in life, knowing that people have got your back,” he said.
“My experience, when Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Mark Taylor or Allan Border said ‘you’re on the team’, you feel like Superman.
“You think you’re important to the team and Marcus Harris is important to the team.”
With a solid starter from Harris, the only question mark for Australia is on their bowling unit.
Captain Pat Cummins missed Adelaide after close contact with a COVID positive case, but is set to return.
It is less certain around Josh Hazlewood as he continues to recover from a side strain, while the fitness of Jhye Richardson and Michael Neser is being assessed.
Left-handed Starc, who led the attack in Adelaide with match figures of 6-80, has a rib concern.
But Langer said he hopes to line up in Melbourne on Sunday as Australia look to win the five-Test series.
“He should be fine, he is tough. If he is not right, we will see it, but there is no indication at this stage that he will not play in the next Test.”
“I honestly thought Mitch Starc was almost man of the match last game. Credit goes to the way he controlled the pace of the last game, especially with Patty and Josh Hazlewood not playing, he played brilliantly. Work done.”
Fast bowler Scott Boland has been included in the team as injury cover.
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