Why Harris choice could backfire on Australia

3 years ago 326

Former Australian paceman Ryan Harris is acrophobic that an abundance of left-handers successful Australia's apical bid could springiness England the precocious manus successful the upcoming Ashes series.

With Will Pucovski inactive recovering from his latest concussion, Marcus Harris is acceptable to spouse David Warner astatine the apical of Australia's order.

Harris returns to Australia's broadside for his 2nd Ashes campaign, having played successful 3 matches during the 2019 series, wherever helium managed conscionable 58 runs successful six innings.

With 1 of Travis Head and Usman Khawaja besides apt to beryllium successful Australia's XI, it'll permission Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne arsenic the lone right-handers successful the top-five.

Harris, who took 57 wickets successful 12 Ashes Tests, said seasoned English duo James Anderson and Stuart Broad could payment from bowling to left-handers, peculiarly with Broad having dominated Warner during the 2019 series.

"It's nary astonishment that Marcus Harris has been picked," helium told 2GB's Wide World of Sports Radio.

"I deliberation Will Pucovski would've astir apt been archetypal prime but unluckily with his ongoing concussion situation that's ruled him out.

"I'm not amazed astir Marcus Harris, it's a bully decision, but my lone happening is we person a batch of left-handers astatine the top. It depends connected who takes that No.5 spot, but with Broad and Anderson arsenic bully arsenic they are, they're world-class bowlers, and they vessel good to left-handers. That's my lone small interest with the 2 left-handers astatine the top."

While Australia's vaunted gait trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are Tim Paine's aces, England skipper Joe Root said the familiarity with the 3 quicks could assistance the tourists.

"One happening that we cognize astir this Australian is successful presumption of its bowling onslaught successful particular, it's been precise settled and precise akin for a agelong play of time," helium said.

"We should person a truly bully thought of however they're going to operate."

England and Australia volition unfastened the 2021 Ashes bid connected December 8, with the archetypal Test to beryllium played astatine the Gabba successful Brisbane.

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