Australia cricket team selectors have been handed another headache – this time in the form of Marcus Harris. The opener has had a prolific run in the County Championship and is making his case stronger for an inclusion in the World Test Championship (WTC) final team with each passing game. Pat Cummins and co. will lock horns with South Africa at the Lord’s on June 11 as they hunt their 2nd consecutive mace.
Harris better than Khawaja?
Harris already has scored three centuries and half-centuries each in five County matches that he has played this season. The 32-year-old last played in a Test for Australia in 2022 and since then has been ignored. With his performances in the County, Harris has struck claim for the opener’s role in the WTC final and could might as well put Usman Khawaja’s spot in danger.
| Match (vs) | Bat |
|---|---|
| Northants | 121 & 43 |
| Gloucester | 167 & 24 |
| LEICS | 77 & 34* |
| Northants | 43 & 50 |
| Middlesex | 138 & 52 |
Talking about Harris’ Test numbers, he has amassed 607 runs in 14 matches at an average of 25.29. While he did try to cement his spot as Australia’s opener in the past, he was impacted by poor form coupled with the presence of stalwarts Warner and Khawaja.
Head, who opened with Khawaja in the series against Sri Lanka, is expected to go back to the middle-order. Reports have already claimed that Australia are willing to allow Marnus Labuschagne to open the innings, which means there is no room for Sam Konstas.
Barring a 232-run knock against Sri Lanka, Khawaja’s returns were pretty poor in the last two series. He struggled to fire against India, managing to score just 184 runs in 10 innings.
With Australia firmly setting their sights on another WTC mace, an in-form Harris could might as well replace Khawaja for the all-important game.
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