Gloucestershire’s new signing Marcus Harris has played in the first four tests of the Ashes series in Australia scoring 179 runs in seven innings so far at an average of 29.83 with his position in the side coming into question.
Usman Khawaja replaced Travis Head in the fourth test at Sydney due to a positive Covid result. Having not played international cricket for more than two years the Pakistan born batsman more than took his chance; scoring two high class hundreds making himself undroppable for the final test match in Hobart.
This leaves Harris’ position in the side extremely precarious with Head who scored a brilliant 153 in the first test once again available for selection.
The left hander did impress in Melbourne with a well made 76 and was the only Australian to make a half century in the match, something that selectors may look at when picking the team.
Australia captain Pat Cummins has admitted that it will be difficult to overlook Khawaja from the fifth test, with Harris being the only spot in the team up for grabs.
Cummins said, “I’ll preface it by saying I’m not a selector, but when someone comes out and hits twin hundreds, it’s pretty hard to go past them for the week after.”
Marcus Harris will join his Gloucester teammates in April having signed a two-year deal with the club, the Australian has played 14 games for his country since making his debut in 2018.
He was part of the side who retained the ashes in 2019 but has struggled to nail down his position at the top of the order and is yet to score a test hundred.
