Australia head coach Justin Langer, on Thursday (December 23), backed struggling opener, Marcus Harris, to play in the Boxing Day Test of the ongoing Ashes 2021-22 at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Harris made just 3 and 23 during Australia’s 275-run win over England in the day-night Ashes Test and had scored just 12 runs in the hosts’ nine-wicket win in the first Test in Brisbane.
However, the Australia coach is confident that the 29-year-old will perform well at his home ground at the MCG and put up a strong partnership with David Warner in the third Ashes Test against England.
Langer stated: “He'll play in the Test, no worries about that. This is his home ground. He's played a lot at the MCG. He hasn't made the runs he'd like to so far, but he dominates domestic cricket. So he knows that he knows how to play. For him and for us we're hoping he plays well and gets a good partnership with Davey Warner in this Boxing Day Test match.”
Explaining how it is important to have the support of the team and coaches, Langer said: “That's absolutely one of the most important things in life, knowing people have got your back. In my experience, when Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Mark Taylor, or Allan Border said 'you're in the team', you feel like Superman. You feel like you're important to the team and Marcus Harris is important to the team.”
While Harris has been confirmed to open for Australia alongside Warner in the Boxing Day Test against England, their bowling attack is in doubt, as the fitness of Jhye Richardson and Michael Neser is being assessed, and Josh Hazlewood is unlikely to play at the MCG.
On the other hand, Mitchell Starc has a rib injury concern, but Langer expects him to play in Melbourne.
He said, “He should be fine, he's tough. If he's not right, we'll look at it, but at this stage, there's no indication he won't be playing in the next Test match. I honestly thought Mitch Starc was almost the man of the match last game. The way he controlled the tempo of the last game was a credit to him, particularly with Patty and Josh Hazlewood not playing, he did a fantastic job.”
(With AFP Inputs)
