Marcus Harris named in Australia’s Test squad for West Indies series

Australia has unveiled its 13-player squad for the upcoming Test series against the West Indies, with Marcus Harris the surprise inclusion.

Nic Savage

@nic_savage1

2 min read

November 8, 2022 - 12:17PM

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Victorian cricketer Marcus Harris was the lone surprise inclusion in Australia’s 13-player squad for the upcoming two-Test series against West Indies.

On Tuesday, Cricket Australia announced squads for next week’s bilateral ODI series against England and the red-ball fixtures against the West Indies in Perth and Adelaide.

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Harris, who most recently represented Australia during last summer’s triumphant Ashes campaign, was named as the reserve batter for the Test series, with Victorian teammate Scott Boland rounding out the national squad.

The 30-year-old, who averages 25.29 at Test level, was dropped for veteran opener Usman Khawaja following the Queenslander’s remarkable twin centuries in the New Year’s Test against England.

Khawaja has since scored 888 Test runs at 98.66 in seven matches this year, plundering four centuries and three fifties in a stunning revival to his international career.

The resurgence of Khawaja left no vacancy for Harris in the Test starting XI, and the left-hander was subsequently dropped for the recent Sri Lanka tour — but he has been given another opportunity in Australian whites following his prolific winter in the County Championship.

Harris accumulated 726 runs at 42.70 in nine first-class matches for Gloucestershire, including three centuries and two fifties.

His fine form continued after returning home in September, currently the second-highest run-scorer in the Sheffield Shield with 287 runs at 57.40 in three matches.

“After some larger squads for the subcontinent tours over the winter, we have returned to a very similar squad to that which performed strongly last summer in comprehensively winning the Ashes,” chair of selectors George Bailey said in a statement.

“Marcus Harris retains his place after continuing to perform for Gloucestershire in the English County competition and a strong start to the Marsh Sheffield Shield season.”

Marcus Harris of Australia. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

West Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh missed out on selection, along with leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson and paceman Mark Steketee.

Victorian captain Peter Handscomb could also consider himself unlucky having blasted 518 runs in three Sheffield Shield matches this summer, averaging 172.66 with the bat.

Boland, who became a household name last summer after taking 6/7 in the Boxing Day Ashes Test at the MCG, could add to his three Test caps if Australia rotates its pace bowling attack again this season.

South Australian captain Travis Head, named player of the series for last summer’s Ashes series, has retained his place despite a relatively lean run of form with the bat at first-class level.

The first Test against the West Indies gets underway at Perth Stadium on Wednesday, November 30.

The West Indies have not won a Test match in Australia since 1997.

Marcus Harris being included in the Test squad is a really interesting one.

Clearly not going to start ahead of a Warner/Khawaja, but it's a great vote of confidence that he's the lone spare batter in the squad.

Can't question his form at the moment either. #AUSvWI
— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) November 8, 2022