Australian newly Test opening batsman Marcus Harris has felt hugely disappointed on his dismissal during the day three of the Sydney Test against the visiting side India.
In the reply of India’s first innings total 622/7 decl, Australian newly opener Marcus Harris provided a good start before losing his wicket as he scored 79 runs off 120 balls (8 fours). The left-handed batsman was played on after going to play a square cut to the Indian left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja but it took an inside edge and dragged back to the stumps.
Feeling disappointed on his dismissal, Harris said after the end of the day, “I got out playing a pretty half-arsed (sic) shot. I am more disappointed in myself than anything. I think it is always a goal against the spinners is to be aggressive early and once you’re able to get those sweepers out, it is to be able to hit them hard and just not milk them as much as you can.
“It’s not as easy when you get to that point in an innings so you want to really build on it. When you chop on for 70 odd that’s what’s really disappointing. I felt like my game I had a really good plan today and I played to it pretty well. Disappointing not to get 100 but it was good to spend some time in the middle and at least get a decent score.”
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After his dismissal, Australia lost their wickets at regular intervals. While the day three of the Test match ended early due to the bad light and rain interruption, Australian was struggling on 236/6 and still trailing by 386 runs.
While the Indian spinners bagged five wickets on day three, Australia lost their last five wickets by 70 runs. Talking about their consistent batting failure in this series, Harris has pointed out their failure to convert the good starts.
Harris said, “We haven’t had a meeting yet but I got a start, a few of us got a start but none of us went on for a big score. So it’s pretty simple to work out what went wrong. We’re still fighting and there is still a bit to play in the first innings yet. We’re a young group and we’re trying to work it out, think on our feet.
“We’re playing against the number one side in the world so it’s not like it’s an easy thing to do. But it’s just a few little things we have to adjust to help us make those big scores like you see India make. It’s probably just an execution thing.”
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In this game, Australia has come with the new opening combination – Marcus Harris with Usman Khawaja and they put 72 runs partnership for that wicket. While he praised Khawaja, Harris also added that he is looking forward to playing with David Warner too when he will return after completion of his suspension.
Harris said, “I‘ve never batted with David Warner so I’m not sure. But that’s my natural game. I’m pretty aggressive. I just look to play my shots and try to put it back on the bowlers a little bit. I am not sure as my opening partner at the moment is Usman Khawaja so I thought we had a pretty good partnership today of 70-odd. That was pretty good but I haven’t really thought about that too much.
“I’ve definitely watched him and envied the way he plays. Anyone that can come out and make a hundred on the first morning of a Test match is a pretty special player. Definitely times I wish I could bat like him. Not sure I can yet, but I definitely like the way he plays. I don’t try to bat like him but I’m envious of the way he plays.”
Making his international cricket debut in the ongoing Test series, Harris feels thankful. He also claimed that the team morale hasn’t affected despite the present poor on-field performances.
Harris said, “It’s been good. I’m very thankful and I’m sure everyone is in the team that we’re part of the Australian cricket team. Yes, it’s been a tough series but we’ve also had some great phases. Obviously this Test match is not over yet. It’s been hard but it’s also been great, a great experience to play against India which is the number one side in the world.”
