Marcus Harris tons up against Pakistan in tour match as Carey backs Green’s ability to open

Marcus Harris has potentially edged his nose in front of his competitors after putting together a century against Pakistan in a practice match.

As Marcus Harris staked his claim for a recall with a timely century against the touring Pakistanis, Australian gloveman Alex Carey said he wanted to savour the end of David Warner’s Test career rather than worry too much about who would replace the opener.

Warner has entered the home straight of his Test farewell tour, with the left-hander locked into playing the final two Tests of his career against Pakistan at the MCG and SCG respectively over the next fortnight.

It means that after months of debate as to whether Warner was the best man to partner Usman Khawaja at the top of the order, Australian selectors will soon have to make a call given the Aussies have two Tests against the West Indies beginning in mid-January before a tour to New Zealand across February and March.

Harris had appeared in the box seat to replace Warner for much of the past two years given he was squeezed out of the side after Khawaja’s triumphant Test return two years ago.

Harris was part of the Australian squad for much of last summer and was a spare batter during the Ashes tour, but is still yet to add to his 14 Tests.

Marcus Harris batting against Pakistan during the Prime Minister’s XI game in Canberra. Harris made a ton in a game this week for Victoria in a two-day practice match. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images.

However his status as heir apparent has looked shakier in recent months given the outstanding Sheffield Shield form of Cameron Bancroft and Matt Renshaw’s century against the Pakistan during the Prime Minister’s XI tour match in Canberra.

There has also been speculation about the prospect of Australia rejigging its top six to allow Cameron Green back into the side to play alongside Mitch Marsh. That would mean a makeshift opener would need to be found, and there is no clear candidate for such a move.

Harris was given another opportunity to face a Test-calibre attack, and took it on Saturday. He blasted 126 from 131 balls for a Victorian XI against the tourists in a drawn two-day tour match at Junction Oval.

One-Test opener Will Pucovski failed to fire though, bowled for four by Pakistan paceman Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Outside Australia’s Test XI since the fifth Ashes Test, Green was meanwhile the last Aussie player to leave the MCG nets, facing throwdowns from Australian coaches three days out from a Boxing Day Test which he is unlikely to play.

While Aussie wicketkeeper Carey said Green was capable of batting anywhere in the top six, he said Warner deserved to be the focus of attention.

“I think Cam’s skilful enough to play in any position for this country. I also don’t really get too involved with selection at all. Again, probably like the Cameron and Mitch situation, it’s a great headache for Australian cricket to have. There’s so many amazing players around the country who are scoring runs. We’ve got a lot of great players around this group that could easily fit into the top six anywhere,” Carey said.

“We’ve still got a couple more games of Davey … to celebrate that I think is probably what I’m more keen on is to celebrate an amazing cricketer and Davey rather than probably get too hung up on who’s going to fill his shoes.”