Marcus Harris: Australia's new opening star?

There have been some iconic names to walk out at the top of the order for Australia over the years: Mark Taylor, Matthew Hayden, and current Australia coach Justin Langer – the list goes on.

Following in their path is Victoria’s Marcus Harris, who is set to make his debut for Australia in the first Test against India in Adelaide. So who is he and how has he vaulted himself towards a baggy green?

Harris began his career at Western Australia, but despite glimpses of his talent – he scored 81 and 158 not out in the 2014/15 Sheffield Shield final – it was a move to Victoria in 2016 that saw the 26-year old begin to show true measure of his potential.

Since then, Harris has been a model of consistency – he was a solid presence at the top of the order for Victoria last season, racking up 706 runs at an average of 41.52.

A brilliant start to the 2018/19 season has seen him build on the foundations of last year and elevate himself into international ranks, with his 250 not out against New South Wales certainly making people sit up and take notice.

Harris exhibited some delightful strokes in making his highest first-class score, driving elegantly through the covers to anything full, while displaying his prowess against spin down the ground and square of the wicket. Diminutive in stature but powerful, it is hard not to see a resemblance between Harris and David Warner.

For Harris, entry into the Australian side will see him reunited with his former WA coach, Langer, who upon his move to Victoria, described him as “mediocre with flashes of brilliance.”

Nevertheless, Harris’ development into a prolific run-scorer has been evident, and with three half-centuries to go alongside his double-century, he has amassed 501 runs from his five Shield matches this summer at a healthy average of 71.57.

Since the ball-tampering bans handed out to David Warner and Cameron Bancroft in March, Australia have had a number of openers. Matthew Renshaw, Joe Burns, Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja and Shaun Marsh have all faced up to the new ball. While Khawaja and Finch both enjoyed success as a pair in the UAE against Pakistan, it seems likely that Harris will now accompany his Victoria team-mate at the top of the order, with Khawaja slotting it at three.

Australia will hope that they have another left-handed great in the making.

The first Test begins in Adelaide on 6 December.