Marcus Harris has acknowledged his first tenure in the Australian Test team didn’t exactly go to plan, but is primed to make the most of his next opportunity.
“It was obviously a tough first Test series over in England for myself,” he said.
In 10 Tests for Australia, Harris has averaged just 23, including an average of 9.66 in three Ashes Tests.
READ MORE: Bailey should stand down after failing Paine test, says Tony Jones
READ MORE: Human Rights Watch accuses IOC of sportswashing in case of Chinese tennis star
READ MORE: Ronaldo fires Manchester United into last 16 of Champions League
“It wasn’t an easy series for anyone to open in that summer, but obviously I’ve had plenty of time since then to work on a few things, and had the opportunity to go over there and play in England again this year, so that was really beneficial.”
Harris said he acknowledged it was a ploy that a lot of teams used against him to come around the wicket, but that he had adapted.
“I feel like I’ve worked really hard on the technical side of my game, and tactical, to combat that. But the proof will be in the pudding come December the eighth.”
Harris said his time at Leicestershire was thoroughly enjoyable, and that playing first class cricket in English conditions had helped evolve his game.
“It was a good challenge – I know it was good personally to get back over there … and to make some runs was good for my confidence,” he said.
“In England, the length they can bowl is bit different to in Australia – they can probably bowl a little bit shorter and still hit the top of the stumps in England which brings in LBWs and bowleds and all sorts of stuff.
“They’re going to have to bowl a different length in Australia, and the wickets are probably more, you would say, batter-friendly.
“At the Gabba, the ball moves a fair bit and bounces a lot, so I think they’re probably going to have to bowl a bit fuller. Whether or not that brings us into the game a bit more, I’m not sure.”
Harris talked about having a newfound patience, rather trying to rush through the opening stages of his innings – which has solidified a belief in his recent body of work, backed up by that impressive winter in England.
“When the opportunity came up to get over to play country cricket in this off-season, I knew I would take it, just so I had plenty of cricket under my belt,” he said.
“Having played a full winter of county cricket and then the few Shield games we’ve had now, I’ve definitely played plenty of cricket so I’ll be ready to go.”
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!