Australia v India: Top order woes exposed by Marcus Harris failure
David Warner is crying out for an opening partner – but Marcus Harris butchered his audition for the job on Friday.
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With Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden watching the action at the Gabba about 30 metres apart, it was easy to reminisce about those comforting days when they walked through the front gate together.
Marcus Harris failing in his latest Test audition on day one against India and Will Pucovski’s indefinite injury layoff has selectors sweating over whether they may have to find David Warner the 14th opening partner of his career in South Africa next month.
In comparison, Langer and Hayden – at the Gabba as a TV commentator – opened the batting together in 122 innings for Australia.
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And Langer, in his new guise as Australian coach would give anything to recapture that kind of stability back now in what he and Hayden refer to as “the engine room.”
“It’s funny because Davey said to us, joked in the change rooms yesterday… ‘It’s alright for you JL, you only had one partner so you can say who your favourite partner is … I’ve had 19 opening partners,’ or whatever he’s had,” Langer quoted Warner in an interview with Hayden on Channel 7.
“It’s unfortunate. Certainly, one of my goals as the coach is to solidify that opening partnership. We thought we had it for a period with Burnsy and Davey… And now Marcus Harris gets his chance.
“Will Pucovski came in, hurt his shoulder unfortunately.”
Australia’s predicament at the top of the order has been exacerbated in this series by Warner’s groin injury.
Warner missed the first two Tests and had the side not lost on Boxing Day at the MCG, and instead gone up 2-0 in the series, it’s debatable whether the left-hander would have been rushed back at all, given team officials have conceded he’s still not 100 per cent fit.
Harris had not played for Australia since the last Test of the 2019 Ashes, and unless he can produce something in the second innings, he might run into the same danger facing Joe Burns; that they’ll be difficult to pick again.
The fact Burns was released from the squad mid-series was a sign of Australia’s loss in confidence in him, while Harris now averages 22 from 10 Tests.
Harris made 5 on Friday before getting out softly – a problem which has failed him at Test and Sheffield Shield level.
Will Pucovski showed in Sydney that he is made for Test level, but the fact Australia has wanted him in the team for three years now, and he’s played one Test means selectors can’t pop the champagne just yet.
If anything, Pucovski has highlighted just how suspect the depth is in Australia’s opening ranks.
The Victorian only played the position in three first-class matches before being selected, and he is streaks ahead of the next nearest candidate.
Selectors felt they had no choice but to convert middle-order man Matthew Wade to open for the first two Tests.
Warner will have five weeks between the Gabba and the first Test in South Africa – presuming it goes ahead – to get his groin right.
The champion opener can’t be judged on his past three innings given he’s put his body on the line for his team when he wasn’t 100 per cent fit.
But in any case, Warner is 34 and Australia desperately needs to unearth some depth in the position for when he does eventually retire.
The lack of rhythm in Australia’s batting this series has shown up how much they miss Warner when he’s out – or on one leg. But he needs a partner.
Originally published as Australia v India: Top order woes exposed by Marcus Harris failure
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