Marcus Harris’ career at a crossroads after brutal snub to face West Indies

Crowned the heir apparent by none other than David Warner, Marcus Harris’ Test career suddenly looks to be on life-support following his shock squad omission.

Marcus Harris was so determined to revive his Test career, he consulted former mentor Justin Langer about how to balance fatherhood with pouring everything into winning his place back.

On the eve of the Sydney Test he seemed in decent shape to realise his dream, after scoring a timely hundred against Pakistan in a tour match, and being heavily endorsed by none other than David Warner to be his post-retirement replacement.

But the 31-year-old Victorian’s career is now at a crossroads, having been brutally overlooked for the Test series against the West Indies – not only as Warner’s replacement – but as the back-up batsman as well.

It’s a bitter pill to swallow.

This masthead understands Harris was ranked above Renshaw and Cameron Bancroft in the field of specialist openers, but selectors have instead decided on picking a non-specialist, with Steve Smith firming as the man poised to fill Warner’s shoes at the top of the order.

Not only that, but Matthew Renshaw has leapfrogged Harris as the fresh reserve, because he has greater flexibility to bat anywhere in the order should a concussion substitute be required.

Marcus Harris’ snubbing leaves him at a crossroads. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

This also despite the fact Harris is a Cricket Australia contracted player and Renshaw isn’t.

Harris became a first-time dad late last year and was leaving no stone unturned into his all-encompassing bid to earn a new life in the Test team.

But the brutal reality is this could be the end of the line for Harris.

While his fast-scoring ability had him well placed to be a replacement for Warner, there is a school of thought that Renshaw might be the more like-for-like substitute for Australia’s other ageing opener, Usman Khawaja, who shapes as the next man to retire.

Harris can’t say he’s unlucky because after 14 Tests he has an average of 25 with no centuries.

But his slide over the past 12 months shows how tough it is for batsmen on the fringes of the Test side.

Matt Renshaw (R) has leapfrogged Marcus Harris in the pecking order. Picture: David Gray/ AFP

Harris was only dropped in the first place because Khawaja made twin centuries at the SCG for a Test when Travis Head was ruled out with Covid-19.

Khawaja’s stunning performance meant he demanded retention, and Harris lost the game of musical chairs.

Harris went to the Ashes tour last year as the spare batsman and nominated next cab off the rank, but the landscape can change quickly in Australian cricket, and six months on, Harris’ finds himself further back than he has been for some time.

All Harris can do now is return to the Sheffield Shield and build an irresistible case to be a standout choice when Khawaja retires.

But he will need to draw on all of his mentor Langer’s trademark determination and self-belief to keep up the fight.

Originally published as Marcus Harris’ career at a crossroads after brutal snub to face West Indies