Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Marcus Harris thrusts himself into pole position in Australia ‘bat-off’

Marcus Harris impresses with a 74 against India A, vying for Australia's opening spot in the upcoming Test series.

Marcus Harris hit a patient and timely 74 against India A on Friday (November 8, 2024) to thrust himself into prime contention to open for Australia in the first of five Tests against the tourists this month.

The diminutive 32-year-old steered Australia A to 223 in reply to India A’s 161 on day two of their four-day match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground — seen as a bat-off for the Test spot left vacant by David Warner’s retirement.

“Externally, obviously this game was getting built up a lot, which is fair enough,” Harris said.

“I feel like I’ve been batting well, but so have lots of people.

“If I get called upon, I feel like I’m ready to go -- and if I don’t, then so be it.”

At the close India A led by just 11 runs with five wickets remaining in their second innings.

Since Warner quit this year, no firm contender has emerged to replace him as Usman Khawaja’s opening partner for the blockbuster series starting in Perth on November 22.