Marcus Harris’ tentative grip on an Australian opening berth has loosened further after another failure in the second Ashes Test in Adelaide.
Harris successfully overturned an lbw dismissal from Stuart Broad but it counted for little as the recalled England quick soon ended an unconvincing stay of three runs from 28 balls.
The Victorian left-hander was brilliantly caught down the legside by wicketkeeper Jos Buttler and Harris now averages just 22.15 in his 12th Test.
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“He’s vulnerable to the short ball,” former Test leg-spinner Kerry O’Keeffe said on Fox Cricket.
“He wants to feel bat on ball whereas (Marnus) Labuschagne has a completely different outlook. He wants to leave everything.”
Mark Waugh said: “He’s got a bit to think about going forward, Marcus Harris. He needs a score desperately”.
Wicket-keeping great Adam Gilchrist doffed his cap to Buttler’s brilliant catch.
“You think about the technique and the power,” Gilchrist said on Fox Cricket.
“Watch the drive – he moves late.
“Good little shuffle and then look at the strength and power in the legs to get horizontal.”
Harris’ struggles underscore one of Australia’s few Achilles heels in the current squad as selectors search for a reliable opening partner for David Warner.
Many on social media went into bat for Usman Khawaja as more qualified for the job despite selector George Bailey expressing confidence in the 29-year-old before the series started.
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