County stint primes Harris for Ashes rematch

A settled Marcus Harris believes his strong winter form will help him hit back against his 2019 Ashes tormentors in what the opener hopes can be the start of a long-standing union with David Warner.

Eager to ensure the pressures of the biggest (and longest) Test series on the Australian calendar do not weigh on him unnecessarily, selection chief George Bailey has already told Harris he will take on the new ball alongside Warner against England at the Gabba on December 8.

Fast bowlers, encouraged by the success of Stuart Broad and Jofra Archer in the 2019 Ashes, have been targeting Harris from around the wicket since he finished that campaign with a batting average of 9.66 from three Tests.

Archer will miss the return series through injury, but Broad remains an integral part of the England attack.

Having worked closely with Victoria coach Chris Rogers on countering that tactic, Harris has responded by plundering 1,631 first-class runs at 50.96, including six centuries, since the start of the 2020-21 Australian season.

"In England the length that they can bowl is a bit different to Australia," Harris told reporters from Australia's pre-Ashes quarantine camp on the Gold Coast.

"They can probably bowl a little bit shorter and still hit the top of the stumps in England, which obviously brings in lbw and bowleds. That's what the challenge was over there and the Dukes ball that summer was moving around a lot.

"They're going to have to bowl a different length in Australia. The wickets you would say are probably more batter-friendly in Australia, so it can sometimes be – I wouldn't say easier – but better to line them up, especially to the left-handers around the wicket.

"It's still going to be a challenge for us because at the Gabba the ball moves a fair bit and bounces a lot so but I think they're probably going to have to bowl a bit fuller.

"There are things that I've probably been working on ever since that Ashes series trying to combat it."

Taking a more side-on stance has helped, though Harris has previously stated he is constantly tweaking his technique.

England's around-the-wicket strategy had been equally effective on Warner in 2019, but Harris is confident the pair can now become Australia's long-term Test openers.

"He's a world class player and anytime you can play with another bloke that takes a lot of pressure off you, it makes your job a bit easier," said Harris, who talked tactics with Warner during a centre-wicket training session at Metricon Stadium on Tuesday.

"So hopefully, we can forge something pretty good over the next – well, we'll get through this summer first – but over the next period of time."

Three of Harris' hundreds over the past year came during his stint at Leicestershire, with Bailey previously suggesting his form at the county was a factor in him winning an Ashes berth.

"I was at a smaller county in Leicester. To come over there as the overseas pro, there's obviously a bit of pressure with that," said Harris, who also scored 137 against a NSW attack featuring Nathan Lyon last month.

"To play well having that on my back was really good, to play in English conditions … I just found a different way to play the game, tactically a little bit differently, technically a little bit differently, and I think it will hold me in good stead going forward.

"Having played in different conditions all around the world throughout the year and against different bowling was a good challenge.

"It was good personally to get back over there after the Ashes last time, having a tough series; to get over there and make some runs was good for the confidence."

Bailey's public endorsement of Harris, a Test incumbent but one whose spot had not seemed a certainty, a month out from the first Test against England marked a major vote of confidence.

Another head knock to Will Pucovski, who Warner had suggested was the front-runner to open with him before his latest injury, had left the door ajar for Harris who admits the selection panel's backing has eased the pressure.

"I had a good chat with (Bailey) and it was just good to have some clear communication with a selector about what I was doing, what was in their minds and what was in their thinking for me," said the 28-year-old.

"I think it's good for your confidence as a player to know where you stand and having the backing of (selectors) is really good. That was really good to have that from Bails.

"It puts your mind at ease a little bit. Your mind can wander coming into a big series like the Ashes with the amount of attention that's brought to it.

"So to not have to worry about that for probably a month leading into the first game is pretty good."

Vodafone Men's Ashes v England

Tour Matches

Nov 23-25: England v England Lions, Brisbane

Nov 30 – Dec 3: England v England Lions, Brisbane

Dec 1-3: Australian intra-squad match, Brisbane

Dec 9-12: Australia A v England Lions, Brisbane

Tests

First Test: December 8-12, The Gabba

Second Test: December 16-20, Adelaide Oval

Third Test: December 26-30, MCG

Fourth Test: January 5-9, SCG

Fifth Test: January 14-18, Perth Stadium