Marcus Harris believes thrusting one of Australia’s devastating middle order batters into an opening role in favour of David Warner could have detrimental effects.
Warner’s position has come under the spotlight yet again after scores of four and one in the third Ashes Test.
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Although he did chalk up 66 runs in the first innings of the second Test, it has been an uphill battle for Warner to make a strong score in England this Ashes series.
There had been suggestions one of the middle order trio of Cameron Green, Travis Head or Mitchell Marsh could open alongside Usman Khawaja.
However, Harris believes it’s an extremely difficult proposition for any non-opening batsman to face the new ball in England.
“I think it depends on the conditions and where you are,” Harris said.
“Like you saw in the subcontinent, it is probably the best time so to have someone destructive like Heady, he can open the batting there.
“But I think probably in England and Australia, the way the wickets have been the last couple of years and New Zealand, those sort of wickets, it’s more of a specialist position.
“And you want your destructive players like Greeny or Mitch or Travis to be coming in against a bit more of an older ball.”
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Harris added: “My experiences from county cricket (are) if you cop the wrong time of the day to open the batting, especially if you’re a destructive batsman it’s probably not ideal.”
The Victorian’s claims come after Cricbuzz journalist Bharat Sundaresan posted a video of an Australia nets session.
In the clip, it is Harris, Warner and Khawaja all facing the new ball in the nets, perhaps giving cricket fans a clue that Australia will not tinker with putting Head, Marsh or Green at the top of the order.
ENGLAND VETERAN SET FOR RECALL
England veteran James Anderson is reportedly set to earn a recall for the fourth Test at Old Trafford.
The Guardian’s cricket correspondent Ali Martin claims Anderson will make his return at his home Test, with Ollie Robinson set to make way.
Anderson was rested for the third Test as England coach Brendon McCullum opted to shake up his bowling attack by bringing in Chris Woakes and Mark Wood.
The hosts went on to secure a three-wicket victory with Woakes and Wood at the crease for the winning runs.
Robinson also played in the third Test but battled with back spasms for much of the contest.
However, he has since declared himself “100 per cent fit” and will look to make his case for inclusion.
