Sandpapergate can be making of Australia, writes Crash Craddock

The final legacy of cricket’s great ball tampering scandal could be something few expected – a stronger Australian Test team, writes Robert Craddock.

Marcus Harris has taken his opportunity in Cameron Bancroft’s absence. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

• LICKING LIPS: Lyon ready to strike on Perth deck

• YOUNG GUN: Harris a hybrid of legendary trio

The final legacy of cricket’s great ball tampering scandal could be something few expected – a stronger Australian Test team.

The year without Steve Smith and David Warner will be a hard but potentially good one for Australia with not as much heartache as initially expected.

Short term pain may see long term gain.

Smith and Warner were so dominant in Australia’s batting line-up it became a case of them or bust.

Marcus Harris has taken his opportunity in Cameron Bancroft’s absence. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

It was great when it worked but a true Test match engine needs more than two pumping pistons.

The batting order was hiding behind them. The side wasn’t growing.

Now the team will grow without them. The green shoots are there already.

When Smith and Warner return they may find they don’t always have to be The Man or The Men.

If all the internal friction can be smoothed – without doubt there is lingering tension - Australia may have a better rounded Test team.

Sandpapergate has allowed Travis Head to flourish for Australia. (AAP Image/Richard Wainwright)

Of course there will be defeats and stumbles along the way.

But there is something about several of the Australian young bloods – Travis Head and Marcus Harris in particular - that suggests that they will be handy Test players.

Neither Head nor Harris might have played a Test had it not been for the ball tampering bans.

Both look hardy types but we make predictions cautiously because so many recent Australian batsmen have drawn flattering praise but failed to go the long journey.

Sandpapergate could be the making of the Australian team. (AAP Image/Brendan Esposito)

Harris has been compared to Warner, Chris Rogers and Justin Langer but, in spirit, there is another comparison – Michael Slater.

When Slater became a Test player in 1993 he was so happy to be there that he bristled with an energy that lifted the team.

Aaron Finch said on Cricket360 that Harris has a way about him which makes him feel like everyone’s best mate.

Tim Paine said the first day Harris walked into camp in Adelaide there was no sense he was a bashful rookie.

Australia’s batting order had a reliance on David Warner and Smith. Picture: Marco Longari

The noise level went up with his cheeky humour which did not go astray in a quiet, insecure team needing a circuit breaker.

Perth locals say the bigger the game the better he plays as evidenced from two fine performance in Sheffield Shield finals.

Paine himself deserves praise.

Calm and measured, he will captain the team for a year after Smith returns and he deserves that honor after impressively leading Australia in its hour of need.

You only realise the merit of his worth when you ponder who else would have been capable of leading the team.

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Originally published as Sandpapergate can be making of Australia, writes Crash Craddock