Former Test opener's big WTC push
Just as the deadline looms for Australian selectors to pick their squad for the World Test Championship final, Marcus Harris made another hundred in England to take his county run haul past 700 for the season.
The Australian squad for the June showdown against South Africa at Lord's needs to be submitted to the ICC on Monday, and Harris, who was part of the Ashes touring parties in both 2019 and 2023, has sent a timely reminder of his abilities in England.
Harris has been prolific in recent county seasons and, despite being pushed to the outer of the Test side by the emergence of teen tyro Sam Konstas, has continued to deliver piles of runs, this time for Lancashire.
His latest innings was a five-hour, 230-ball knock on a difficult Northampton pitch, hitting 18 boundaries and taking advantage of being dropped twice.
Harris finished with 121 against the Darren Lehmann-coached Northamptonshire on Saturday, his third century in a month.
The 32-year-old, who played the last of his 14 Tests in 2022, made another 43 in the second innings and has compiled a county-leading 749 runs in 10 innings, including three 50s as well as his three tons, at an average of 83.22.
His hundreds included 138 at Lord's against Middlesex and 167 at Old Trafford.
Harris has 140 runs more than any other batter in England this country season across both divisions.
There remains contention about who could open the batting with Usman Khawaja amid speculation that Konstas could be overlooked after a limp end to the Sheffield Shield season.
Marnus Labuschagne is also about to begin a county stint and as been touted as an opening option.
In the 2019 Ashes, Harris only made 52 runs in three Tests after replacing Cameron Bancroft at the top of the order. He didn't play a game in 2023.
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Forbes
33 minutes ago
- Forbes
Why LVMH's $1.5B Formula 1 Bet Is No Average Luxury Partnership
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Washington Post
4 hours ago
- Washington Post
Adam Scott at another US Open and headed for century mark in the majors
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Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
‘I didn't like the attitude': Thomas Tuchel lays into England squad after drab 1-0 win over Andorra
Thomas Tuchel had some choice words for his side after a listless win over Andorra (AFP via Getty Images) England manager Thomas Tuchel made his displeasure clear after his side laboured to a dull and dispiriting 1-0 win over Andorra, the world's 173rd-ranked side. England had several chances, particularly in the first half, but failed to break down a dogged Andorran defence, only making a breakthrough as Noni Madueke - a rare bright spark - teed up Harry Kane in the 50th minute. Advertisement The captain's 72nd international goal spared England's blushes but they could not build on their lead, with jeers accompanying their exit at half-time and a smattering of boos at the final whistle. A visibly cross Tuchel told ITV after the game, 'We're not happy with the performance, of course. We started quite well in the first 20 or 25 minutes, but that was the only time it felt like it was only a matter of time. 'We created a lot of chances, half-chances and set pieces. But we completely lost our momentum and couldn't get it back from the whole of the first half. 'There was a lack of urgency, quality and energy.' Advertisement The game was held at the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona, with Andorra's home ground not deemed ready to host, and England appeared sluggish in the heat as the match wore on. Asked about his debrief to the squad, Tuchel replied, 'It's what I've said to you just now. I told them I was most worried in the last 20 minutes because I did not like the attitude with which we ended this game. It felt almost like [he shrugged dismissively], 'We have to play it until the 93rd minute.' 'It's still a World Cup qualifier away from home. I didn't like it at all. The players know all this because I said it in the dressing-room. 'It's also necessary to have a look in detail, watch the match again, and we will let them know tomorrow what we want from them. Advertisement 'We can just admit it that it's not what we expect from us,' Tuchel continued. 'We need to look at it in detail and do better on Tuesday.' England face Senegal in a friendly next Tuesday, a significantly tougher test against potential opposition at next summer's World Cup. He offered some praise for Madueke, who had the chance to double England's lead late on, but his back-line pass drifted across the front of goal and was then not turned in by substitute Anthony Gordon. Asked whether the Chelsea player had advanced his cause to feature in next summer's squad, the German said, 'He was maybe over the course of the match the most dangerous, the most active. I could feel his hunger and desire to [follow the plan]. Yeah, he was one of the few [to follow it].'