Victoria opener Marcus Harris is on the verge of wearing the baggy green with selectors set to reward his sustained form with selection in an extended Australian squad for the first Test against India.
Selectors pulled a shock by naming 14 players in their squad, as opposed to the customary 12, with fast men Chris Tremain and Peter Siddle joining the uncapped Harris.
Marcus Harris has been rewarded for his strong form in the Shield.Credit:AAP
The size of the squad raises memories of the 17-man squad selectors named for the first Ashes Test in 2010.
While it's understandable they have an extra batsman on standby, the selection of five quicks will come as a shock given the attack of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon are seen by many to be locks in the XI.
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Harris is believed to have surged past Queensland youngster Matthew Renshaw, who is facing Test heartbreak for the second year in a row.
Selectors are understood to have called in Victoria's Peter Handscomb as cover for Usman Khawaja, who has been named to make his comeback to first-class cricket in the Shield for Queensland following knee surgery.
Harris could not be ignored after putting together years of strong scores instead of weeks, as opposed to his rivals.
The 26-year-old has prospered since leaving Western Australia to join Victoria for the start of the 2016/17 season. He has since hit 1951 runs at nearly 48, including 437 at 87 in the opening four matches of the Shield.
Harris was given a parting shot by then WA coach Justin Langer, who described his time in the west as being "mediocre with flashes of brilliance". Langer is now the national coach and a selector.
Renshaw had been on the cusp of a Test recall for the tour of the UAE but suffered concussion in a tour game and missed both matches. The Queenslander struggled in the Shield, averaging 23 in six innings with only one score above 50.
The youngster was dumped 12 months ago for the Ashes after a similarly lean run for the Bulls.
Selectors have shown faith in Aaron Finch and Travis Head, who both debuted in the series loss to Pakistan. Finch averaged 45 in a sound debut effort while Head made a fighting half-century to help save the first Test.
The South Australian, like many batsmen in the country, has also battled in the start of the Shield but no player could mount a compelling case to tip him out.
Australia Test squad: Marcus Harris, Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Chris Tremain, Peter Siddle, Peter Handscomb
MORE TO COME
Andrew Wu writes on cricket and AFL for The Sydney Morning Herald
Victoria opener Marcus Harris is on the verge of wearing the baggy green with selectors set to reward his sustained form with selection in an extended Australian squad for the first Test against India.
Selectors pulled a shock by naming 14 players in their squad, as opposed to the customary 12, with fast men Chris Tremain and Peter Siddle joining the uncapped Harris.
Marcus Harris has been rewarded for his strong form in the Shield.Credit:AAP
The size of the squad raises memories of the 17-man squad selectors named for the first Ashes Test in 2010.
While it's understandable they have an extra batsman on standby, the selection of five quicks will come as a shock given the attack of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon are seen by many to be locks in the XI.
Advertisement
Harris is believed to have surged past Queensland youngster Matthew Renshaw, who is facing Test heartbreak for the second year in a row.
Selectors are understood to have called in Victoria's Peter Handscomb as cover for Usman Khawaja, who has been named to make his comeback to first-class cricket in the Shield for Queensland following knee surgery.
Harris could not be ignored after putting together years of strong scores instead of weeks, as opposed to his rivals.
The 26-year-old has prospered since leaving Western Australia to join Victoria for the start of the 2016/17 season. He has since hit 1951 runs at nearly 48, including 437 at 87 in the opening four matches of the Shield.
Harris was given a parting shot by then WA coach Justin Langer, who described his time in the west as being "mediocre with flashes of brilliance". Langer is now the national coach and a selector.
Renshaw had been on the cusp of a Test recall for the tour of the UAE but suffered concussion in a tour game and missed both matches. The Queenslander struggled in the Shield, averaging 23 in six innings with only one score above 50.
The youngster was dumped 12 months ago for the Ashes after a similarly lean run for the Bulls.
Selectors have shown faith in Aaron Finch and Travis Head, who both debuted in the series loss to Pakistan. Finch averaged 45 in a sound debut effort while Head made a fighting half-century to help save the first Test.
The South Australian, like many batsmen in the country, has also battled in the start of the Shield but no player could mount a compelling case to tip him out.
Australia Test squad: Marcus Harris, Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Chris Tremain, Peter Siddle, Peter Handscomb
MORE TO COME
Andrew Wu writes on cricket and AFL for The Sydney Morning Herald
