Mature Harris ready for Test chance

Marcus Harris has given an insight into his fierce determination to become a more reliable batsman as he eyes a possible Test debut next month.

The Victorian opener has been named in Australia's 14-man squad for the first two Tests against India, just reward for his stunning start to the JLT Sheffield Shield season.

The 26-year-hold hammered an unbeaten 250 against NSW in October to stake his claim for a spot in the national side and has also hit half-centuries against Tasmania and South Australia.

When Harris made the move to Victoria before the 2016-17 season, then-Western Australia coach Justin Langer delivered a much-publicised parting shot, suggesting the left-hander had been "mediocre with flashes of brilliance" in his six-year career with the Warriors.

While there is no lingering tension between the pair from those comments – as Langer made clear on Thursday after the Test squad was announced – Harris has developed into a more consistent performer since moving states.

After averaging 28.89 from 42 matches for WA, Harris has since lifted his first-class average to 35.55.

He said a "hunger to want to perform every game" was behind his improved output

"When I was younger, I'd make 100 in a Shield game and be so high that by the next time I went out to the middle in the next game, I still thought I was on 100," Harris told RSN's Breakfast Club on Friday.

"You can't start like that, so I sort of…found a way to keep myself pretty level and try to be consistent.

"The easiest thing is to be making big scores and don't contribute bugger all for another couple of games, so that's what I've been really aware of.

"I haven't got another 100 since that 200, but I've still contributed a couple of scores to the team.

"So that's probably my main focus – and that's my main focus all the time – is just trying to put runs on the board and contribute to wins and just be a part of the team."

Harris has long been considered a serious talent, becoming the youngest Australian to score a first-class 150 when he was only 18 in 2011 and posting 81 and 158 not out in the 2015 Sheffield Shield final in a losing side.

He has nine centuries to his name at first-class level and is working to harness his natural attacking instincts.

"My natural game's pretty attacking, but…you probably want your opening batter facing 150-200 balls," Harris said.

"Obviously getting 100 is great, but if you get 100 off 120 balls, the team can still be in a little bit of strife.

"I've been aware of just trying to face as many balls as I can and I know that runs will look after itself, so that's been the really big focus and just being patient and not getting too worried if there's spells where teams tie me down a bit. I know I can catch up later on.

"It's probably just getting older and maturing a bit and learning my game."

Harris, who has averaged more than 40 for Victoria in the past two summers, said veterans Cameron White and Aaron Finch and his opening partner Travis Dean had provided valuable knowledge, while he credited the work of coach Andrew McDonald and his assistant Lachlan Stevens.

He is one of five Vics in the Test squad, joining Finch, Peter Handscomb, Chris Tremain and Peter Siddle.

The first Test against India starts at Adelaide Oval on December 6.

India Tour of Australia 2018-19

Gillette T20s v India

First T20: Australia won by four runs (DLS method)

Second T20: November 23, MCG

Third T20: November 25, SCG

Domain Tests v India

First Test: December 6-10, Adelaide Oval

Second Test: December 14-18, Perth Stadium

Third Test: December 26-30, MCG

Fourth Test: January 3-7, SCG

Gillette ODI Series v India

First ODI: January 12, SCG (D/N)

Second ODI: January 15, Adelaide Oval (D/N)

Third ODI: January 18, MCG (D/N)