Justin Langer Backs Marcus Harris To Come Good In The Remainder Of The Ashes

Australia head coach Justin Langer has thrown his weight behind under-fire opener Marcus Harris. Harris has consistently failed to be among the runs and his spot in the team has been under the scanner. However, Langer believes the local boy will be opening alongside David Warner in the Boxing Day Test.

Having made his Test debut against India back in the 2018/19 Test series, Marcus Harris has been in and out of the side. But Langer believes Harris is good enough to play Test cricket for Australia for a long time. Here is what ICC quoted him as saying ahead of the Boxing Day Test.

“He’ll play in the Test, no worries about that. This is his home ground. He’s played a lot at the MCG. He hasn’t made the runs he’d like to so far, but he dominates domestic cricket. So he knows that he knows how to play. He’s a fantastic bloke around the squad … And we know he’s a very good player. For him and for us we’re hoping he plays well and gets a good partnership with Davey Warner in this Boxing Day Test match.” 

Marcus Harris is important to the team: Justin Langer

Justin Langer was himself an opener in his playing days and recalled how important it was for someone to show faith in a player, especially during his hard time. He insisted that Australia have full faith that Marcus Harris will fulfil his potential and will soon enough play a crucial knock for the hosts.

“That’s absolutely one of the most important things in life, knowing people have got your back. My experience, when Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Mark Taylor or Allan Border said ‘you’re in the team’, you feel like Superman. You feel like you’re important to the team and Marcus Harris is important to the team. We’re really confident Marcus has got what it takes to be a successful Australian opening batsman,” Justin Langer concluded.

The third Test between Australia and England will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Boxing Day (December 26).