Ashes 2021/22: All the news ahead of the fifth Test in Hobart

Marcus Harris is seemingly the odd man out for Hobart but Aaron Finch warns selectors not to be so hasty in dropping him, remembering one innings where ‘he set the game up for us.’

Aaron Finch hopes his former Test opening partner Marcus Harris is given more time, as selectors prepare to make their biggest call of the summer.

Australia’s white ball captain says Usman Khawaja’s twin hundreds in Sydney has made it an agonising selection, whoever is left out, but believes Harris is not done as a Test opener.

Finch has opened with both men at Test level and said there is no question Khawaja has the mindset and skills to adjust from No.5 to the top of the order if promoted by selectors at Harris’ expense for the Ashes finale in Hobart starting on Friday.

Selector Tony Dodemaide stressed on Tuesday that the panel was still in two minds.

“I’ll say from the outset, we haven’t made any firm decisions as yet,” he said.

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Marcus Harris has received support from Aaron Finch that he deserves more time as a Test opener.

Ex-greats led by Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne and Simon Katich have all declared that as harsh as it might be on Harris, he must go to make way for the red hot Khawaja.

However, Harris does have a highly credentialed backer in Finch who insists Australia would not regret backing him for another opportunity, after the fortitude he showed setting up an Ashes clinching win in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.

“Whoever they go with it’s going to be a really difficult selection, no doubt,” Finch told News Corp.

“But I do hope Harry gets another go at the top. I think he’s shown glimpses of what he’s capable of and it won’t be too long until he takes that chance and I don’t think he’d ever look back.

“That was a super knock (at the MCG). In the conditions, that was seaming around miles and I think the way he applied himself and the way he was able to put pressure back on a really experienced bowling attack at different times was outstanding as well.

“That set up the game.

“That was the difference between the two sides in the end. I think back to when Harry and I opened the batting together.

“He got a 70 at Perth and that was on a difficult wicket as well and it showed he’s definitely got the class and got the game to be successful at Test cricket for sure.”

Harris is in a desperate fight to hold his spot from Usman Khawaja.

Finch said Khawaja and Warner would gel well as opening partners given they’ve known each other since they were seven years old, but also feels that dynamic would still benefit the team even if Khawaja is kept in the middle-order.

Dodemaide and Khawaja himself have admitted that No.5 and opening the batting in Test cricket is like comparing apples and oranges and that appears the big factor selectors need to make a determination on.

Captain Pat Cummins has strongly indicated Khawaja has to play after his SCG heroics.

It’s highly unusual for a 35-year-old to go up the order rather than down, but Finch said if one man can master the challenge it’s Khawaja.

“He’s such a versatile player. I think anyone who can open the batting or bat at No.3 at the Gabba for a long time proves that they’ve got the game to be able to be flexible and bat anywhere,” Finch said.

“His mentality or his mindset is just suited for being flexible. Nothing really phases him. Whether he comes in at 5 or walks out and takes first ball … I don’t think it makes much difference to him, he’s just an organised player who is ready to go all the time.”

Dodemaide said selectors would be comfortable with Khawaja opening the batting but concedes there are numerous factors to weigh up — and one is continuity for players like Harris originally selected.

“It’s always a balance. It’s very different batting at the top of the list compared to batting at 5 and Uzzy said that himself, so there’s certainly some challenging conversations for us over the next 48 hours or so,” Dodemaide said.

“I think it does give players confidence when they know where they stand as much as possible … but given also the fact that there are just circumstances that do change over time.”

How Harris can still be key in Hobart even if dumped

As Marcus Harris braces for the Test axe, an obscure statistic has emerged as his last potential salvation.

Australian selectors face a difficult decision because they have been pleased with the opener’s growth over the past two Ashes’ Tests, but Usman Khawaja’s twin hundreds at the SCG are so compelling they have been left with seemingly no choice but to cut Harris.

Teammate Travis Head praised Harris for maintaining his energetic presence around the group despite the disappointment of not converting in either innings in Sydney, as Khawaja went on to create history with two stunning centuries.

But there is one intriguing factor setting Harris apart from anyone else in this Ashes Test – the opener is the only man to have played in all three of the pink ball Sheffield Shield matches played at Bellerive Oval.

Usman Khawaja has forced his way into the Australian Test side with two stunning centries.

How the pink ball will play in Hobart is a mystery to most of the Australian camp, but Harris in two matches for Victoria and one for the Justin Langer coached Western Australia has experienced on three occasions what it’s like to face up under lights in the apple isle and he has a 50 to show for his toil.

It may not be enough to save his place in the team, but Harris’ could at the very least still play an important role as a sounding board this week, in keeping with team first attitude teammates have lauded him for.

“He hasn’t changed and I think that’s the beauty. We celebrate each other’s success. We love each other’s success,” Head said of Harris.

“He was fantastic in Melbourne and played a huge role in us winning a game.

“His attitude hasn’t changed and Marcus is an amazing character within the group.

“He’s huge energy within the group. I think you’ve seen that in the way he fields and the way he is around the field.

“You can hear on the stump mic the energy he brings and it’s the same off the field. He’s calm, consistent and he’s himself and he hasn’t changed that.

“He’ll be disappointed he didn’t get runs in this game. He had a great opportunity. I felt like he batted and lined the ball up beautifully at the start and set a really good platform with Davey (Warner) as a partnership).

Marcus Harris has had Getty Images)

“He’ll be disappointed but we’ll prepare ourselves for Tassie and be ready to go.”

Head’s sizzling hundred in the first Test, handy contribution in Adelaide and the fact he only missed Sydney due to contracting COVID-19 suggests he will walk straight back in for Hobart – but Khawaja’s heroics have changed the equation.

“We’ll wait and see. I think he (Khawaja) played beautifully,” said Head.

“We knew he was versatile in the way he can play and if there was a spot to open up in the side then he would take that opportunity. I think he’s taken it with both hands, it’s been amazing.

“There’s been some tough decisions (for selectors this series). Those conversations haven’t been had. We’ll get to Hobart and then we’ll prepare.”

Unlike Harris, Head has never played a pink ball Test in Hobart – a destination that in Sheffield Shield cricket has generally been a very difficult place to bat and a happy hunting ground for seamers.

Scott Boland played two pink ball matches for Victoria in Hobart in 2015 and 2016 and struggled for wickets, but his game has developed enormously since then.

Players will be picking Harris’ brain about what to expect.

“I’ll lean on some guys. I know some guys have played some over here in the past. I’ll lean on those guys and study the footage over the next few days,” said Head.

“I’m expecting not dissimilar to every other pink ball we’ve played. The ball swinging at stages, the ball great to bat with at stages. It’s about summing up conditions really well and the game situation really well and trying to best prepare yourself and best plan for that.”

England’s Ashes trip from hell continues

England may have saved the fourth Test but it hasn’t signalled a change of fortune in their Ashes tour from hell, with their departure to Hobart delayed on Monday afternoon.

England players and management were forced back to the team hotel after arriving at Sydney airport, with their arrival in Hobart now delayed until 6pm on Monday

Staff shortages at the airport, and in baggage handling, due to the impact of Covid were responsible for the delay, forcing the walking wounded back to their Sydney digs until later in the afternoon

Stuart Broad and Joe Root after the fourth Ashes Test ended in a draw. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

England saved the Sydney Test in a dramatic last-ball fighting effort despite having several players injured.

Wicketkeeper Jos Buttler was not among the group delayed given his fractured index finger meant he would not travel to Hobart for the final Test but head back to the UK to rehabilitate the injury.

But Jonny Bairstow (impact injury, thumb), Ben Stokes (side strain) were forced to interrupt their rehab as Covid continues to impact the series in and out of the squad.

In brighter news for the tourists though, replacement keeper Sam Billings was set to join the group flying to Hobart.

And they will be joined in Tasmania by coach Chris Silverwood and bowling coach Jon Lewis, who have both recovered after testing positive to Covid and missing the Sydney Test.