Ashes 2021-2022: How Australia’s batting technicians unlocked the Marcus Harris form slump
A mid-series technical change can often be a perilous practice for an out-of-form batsman. But for Marcus Harris, it may have bought him a ticket to Pakistan.
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Repairs on the run can be a perilous practice for an out-of-form Test batsman, but a mid-series tune up may have saved Marcus Harris’ career.
The Victorian opener has been lauded for a heavy-duty 76 at the MCG, which was as good as a century in the way it contrasted with the patchy scores of every other batsman in the match on a difficult batting surface.
After Harris’ failed in Adelaide, there were questions being asked about his future in the side beyond the Ashes series, but the 29-year-old rolled his sleeves up and went back to school in the nets leading into Boxing Day.
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Although there was no obvious deficiency that had crept into his game over the first two Tests, there was a feeling that in the face of England’s quicks, Harris had cut off his access to the off-side and lost some of the scoring range that has seen him flourish in Sheffield Shield and county cricket.
Australia’s batting technicians worked on some subtle changes to his footwork to open up his scoring options specifically when being attacked by the bread and butter skill of England’s seamers — which is bowling right-arm around the wicket to left-handed batters.
Bat whisperer Michael di Venuto has been a trusted confidante for superstars David Warner and Steve Smith over their careers, and some subtle tweaks — and general reassurance — has helped Harris get the monkey off his back and potentially book his Test ticket to Pakistan in March.
“He showed some good signs in Adelaide and time in the middle is always important,” said di Venuto.
“In Melbourne he got that and facing almost 200 balls over more than four hours, in challenging conditions was a great outcome for Harry.
“It will do wonders for his confidence.
“We haven’t worked on anything too specific with him, just things we would always do in and around the nets.
“As a left-hander, the England attack is highly skilled, especially coming around the wicket.
“It’s an area all of our left-handers are working on constantly.”
Harris was driving himself from Melbourne to Sydney on Sunday — along with emergency players Mitchell Marsh and Josh Inglis — after he was kept off the team flight because he’s had dinner with Covid-positive Travis Head.
The opener has been cleared by numerous PCR tests and will resume training on Monday, hungry for an elusive Test match hundred.
National Selector George Bailey said criticism of Harris’ Test batting average after his first 12 Tests had been too narrow in its focus as he praised the opener for producing the kind of innings selectors believed he was capable of.
“People look at how many Tests somebody has played, but look at them as a whole rather than splitting up where those opportunities have come and trying to give someone a run at it,” said Bailey.
“I think Harry has looked really good throughout the series. A couple of good catches have dismissed him at different times.
“I can’t give enough credit for that knock last week given the challenge of the wicket and as an opening batter.
“Everyone talked about it as a new ball wicket and for him to face the balls that he did and get through that innings and hold the Australian innings together and be the glue there is exactly what we’re after from an opening batter.
“He attacked when he needed to attack and I thought that was another great example of how Harry can play and contribute really well to this team. I’m really pleased for him.”
Khawaja eyeing more than a cameo comeback
Usman Khawaja is looking for a Chris Rogers style finale to his Test career as Australia avoided more Covid chaos before the fourth Test.
Travis Head remains the only positive case in the Australian camp, after a round of negative tests cleared all players and support staff of further infection on Saturday, but officials will continue to hold their breath through the coming days of regular testing.
There was one family member in the camp still waiting on an outstanding test late on Saturday.
The shock withdrawal of Head has opened the door for Khawaja to play his first Test match since the 2019 Ashes, and the left-hander is viewing the opportunity as far more than a one-off cameo.
Khawaja is adamant there is life after 35, as former Test opener Rogers would attest to – playing 24 Tests and averaging nearly 45 following his recall eight years ago in his mid-30s.
There is a symmetry for Khawaja, having made his Test debut against England at the SCG a decade ago, but the veteran is looking to Wednesday’s Test as a starting point for him to make a huge impact on Australia’s subcontinental Test tours of Pakistan and Sri Lanka this year.
The last time Australia toured against an Asian team – Pakistan in the UAE in 2018 – Khawaja opened the batting and scored the greatest hundred of his career to save the first Test against all odds with Steve Smith and David Warner suspended.
Born in Islamabad, Khawaja playing a role on Australia’s first Test tour of Pakistan since 1998 this March would be an extraordinary story – with the batsman confident he is far from the end.
“I’m fit and healthy. I only judge myself on how I’m going. Touch wood, my body is feeling great, it has for a while. I’m in the best cricket conditioning (of my career), and I don’t get sore after games,” said Khawaja.
“I love it I’m still enjoying it. I’m very competitive. You’re only as good as your performances and how you’re going.
“It’s funny I just turned 35 but I don’t feel (old) in my head. I feel young in my head so as long as that’s there I’ll have the spark. My body has held up, which it is feeling really good and has for a long time, and as long as that stays the case I’ll keep playing the game I love.
“Potentially I’ll have one game for Australia here but I know it’s not going to be the be all and end all. I’ve done a lot of hard work to get back to this point where I am right now.
“Hopefully I can score a hundred and do well for the team in the absence of Heady. But if that doesn’t happen I know there’s still a lot of cricket to come up.
“There’s a lot of cricket in the subcontinent which I feel I’m very suited too so I’m looking forward to hopefully being a part of that.”
Khawaja – who was pipped at the post by younger man Head for a start at No. 5 at the start of the Ashes – says he’s not taking his return to the Test stage lightly.
Test cricket at the SCG is the ultimate combination for the boy raised in Sydney, and Khawaja is hopeful he can pick up where he left off with his form in Sheffield Shield cricket a month ago when he was scoring regular hundreds for Queensland.
“Ten years (since my debut). Wow, you do make me sound old. I love Sydney, it’s where I grew up, my family are here,” said Khawaja.
“A lot of friends here, a lot of memories here. Every time I come back to Sydney I really enjoy it. The SCG is the home of cricket. If I do get an opportunity it’s always exciting to play Test cricket, but even more so at the SCG where my old home is.
“It’s always nicer when coming off games. I haven’t played for maybe a month now. It does make it a little bit different, you’re a bit out of sync. But it shouldn’t take too long hopefully, if I play and get out there and bat for half an hour and get into it I should find that sync again.”
TEST RESULTS IN: HAVE AUSSIES AVOIDED Covid CHAOS?
All Australian players and support staff have recorded negative PCR results in a relieving sign preparations for the Sydney Test won’t descend into disarray.
Australian officials are still awaiting a test result to return on a family member travelling with the team, with long wait times on getting results back.
However, at this stage Australia has avoided a mass outbreak through the camp.
Travis Head has been ruled out of the match after testing positive to COVID-19 with Usman Khawaja set to replace him at No.5. He will play his first Test match since the 2019 Ashes at the same ground where he made his debut a decade ago.
Marcus Harris and new additions to the squad Nic Maddinson, Mitchell Marsh and Josh Inglis stayed back in Melbourne as a precaution, but are expected to make their way to Sydney – possibly by road – over the next day or two.
Harris had dined with Head on Wednesday night so there were worries about him as a close contact, but he has returned negative PCR tests – while the other three players need to isolate for three days after joining from the BBL bubble.
Australia is not out of the woods yet, as the infection that went through the England camp trickled through for a couple of days and players will continue to be tested daily.
Australia is due to train at the SCG on Sunday.
Harris cleared of Covid, Travis Head out of Sydney Test
Australian opener Marcus Harris has received a negative PCR result as Australia holds its breath that it can avoid further Ashes chaos after Travis Head tested positive to COVID-19.
Harris stayed behind in Melbourne and didn’t join the team charter flight to Sydney as a precaution after he dined with Head two nights ago.
However, a negative rapid test has now been followed up by a negative PCR result and it’s understood Harris will be free to come to Sydney on Saturday, most likely by car – after Australian bowling duo Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon also chose to take the highway on Thursday.
Australia have called in Mitchell Marsh, Nic Maddinson and Josh Inglis in as emergency back-up amid fears Head may not prove to be the only positive if the trickle of cases that went through the England camp during the Melbourne Test match was anything to go by.
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However, the trio also remained back in Melbourne until further notice as they have just come in from the BBL system and it’s possible they could also join Harris on the road.
PCR tests of Australian players were taken earlier today and daily tests will likely be taken out between now and the rest of the series as officials try desperately to stop the spread on the day when the two teams arrived by separate charters in the city with 21,000 daily cases.
Australia is not out of the woods yet with PCR results still coming in, but the fact Harris as a dinner companion of Head has returned a negative is a decent sign that the team could avoid mass disruption.
Sources close to Head say he’s feeling understandably flat at having his breakthrough Ashes tour cut short – although he is asymptomatic and likely to be cleared to play in the fifth Test in Hobart on January 14.
Usman Khawaja is set to take Head’s place in the line-up, although there could be more changes depending on the results of PCR tests that may all be back in by Saturday morning.
Maddinson has been the form Sheffield Shield batter over recent years and it would be an incredible comeback story for the left-hander if he was to be recalled after last playing a couple of Tests in 2016.
Marsh was the hero of the World Cup final for Australia and is the hottest hitter in the country right now, albeit with the white ball.
Australia have all bases covered, with a back-up keeper in Inglis, and a stack of bowlers already in the squad, with leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson and returning quicks Jhye Richardson and Josh Hazlewood all possibly putting their hand up for selection.
The Australian team was due to fly by charter early on Friday, only to be delayed by the positive result for Head.
England have already been forced to leave their coach Chris Silverwood and three of his assistants back in Melbourne in isolation, while match referee and former Australian great David Boon is also out of the Test.
It’s understood Head had dinner with Harris on Wednesday night – and a sensible approach was taken to not put Harris on the flight with teammates.
However, in a team environment, it’s possible he wouldn’t be the only close contact.
Head has his partner with him in Melbourne for his seven days of isolation.
“As part of our testing procedures, we are PCR testing players, their families and our support staff daily. Unfortunately, Travis returned a positive COVID-19 result earlier today,” a CA spokesperson said.
“Thankfully he is asymptomatic at this stage. We anticipate that he will be available to play in the fifth Ashes Test in Hobart.
“We are grateful to our exceptional medical staff for all the work they have done throughout this series and we will continue to work with and support the players, their families and staff from both teams.”
Australian medical staff was taking extra precautions on Friday, with players to separate out on the flight and of course wear masks and sanitise regularly.
It’s yet to be determined when Harris might join his teammates in Sydney, although there is no immediate hurry with the Test not starting until Wednesday January 5.
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Originally published as Ashes 2021-2022: How Australia’s batting technicians unlocked the Marcus Harris form slump
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