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A player once dubbed as “mediocre” by Justin Langer could be the answer to the Australia coach’s opening conundrum.
Victoria batsman Marcus Harris at the end of the 2015-16 Sheffield Shield season left Western Australia – then coached by Langer – for a move east. He had only scored 274 runs at 27.40 that season, prompting Langer to label his parting player as “mediocre with flashes of brilliance”.
Now in his third season with Victoria, Harris is a chance to fill one of Australia’s opening positions vacated by suspended David Warner and Cameron Bancroft.
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Harris told reporters on Thursday that a reunion with Langer wouldn’t be awkward despite the parting shot at the left-hander.
“We get along really well. We stay in contact regularly and when he was coach of WA, I would always catch up with him when (Victoria) played against them,” Harris said.
“When you get a clip in the media on the way out, that can be the headline. But that’s certainly not the case with our relationship, we get along really well.”
With Australia’s Test series against India just weeks away – and uncertainty still surrounding the ball-tampering trio’s replacements – Harris could hardly find a better time to strike good form.
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The 26-year-old put himself in contention after making an unbeaten 250 off 403 balls against New South Wales last month. He also scored 65 against South Australia in his last Shield match, taking his season tally to 348 runs at 116.
He’s only being outscored this season by one player, Alex Doolan, who has two more runs.
Harris has averaged more than 40 in each of his seasons playing for Victoria, making 706 at 41.52 last season and 808 at 42.52 in 2016-17.
Harris said he’s keeping a clear mind for his Shield performances but struggles to avoid the growing calls for his Test call-up.
“I think if anyone gets runs at the moment, their name is thrown up there straight away. I suppose if you put runs on the board, that’s going to happen,” Harris said.
“It’s hard to not see it. I don’t read it all, you see bits and pieces on social media. Everyone’s name is being thrown up there, so I try not to read into too much.”
Harris’ next Test audition comes against Tasmania in Hobart, starting Saturday.
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