 Opener Marcus Harris has spoken up on his non-selection in Australia’s Test squad for the ongoing series against the West Indies, saying that he didn’t really hear too much from the national selection committee and was left wondering if specialist openers will be picked in the team.Harris, Cameron Bancroft and Matthew Renshaw were the specialist openers in the race to take the spot left by the retirement of David Warner after Australia’s 3-0 series win over Pakistan at Sydney.But Steve Smith turned out to be the new opener alongside Khawaja in the first Test against West Indies at Adelaide, with Cameron Green slotting in at number four. Harris and Bancroft were not selected, with Renshaw being picked as the reserve batter for the series against the West Indies.“It’s been interesting. Coming off the back of the Ashes we knew that Davey had put a timeline on when he wanted to finish so there was obviously a lot of speculation about when he would finish and who would replace him and I was obviously one of the names in contention.”“What’s good now is that now it has been decided and been done, it’s one less thing I have to worry about. It’s been an interesting couple of months but at least I know now where I stand instead of battling with the unknown. I didn’t really hear too much around selection from them to be honest,” said Harris on Wide World of Sports’ 6PR radio.Harris has played 14 Tests for Australia, averaging 25.29, including smashing just three-half centuries. Further asked about his conversations with the selectors’, Harris said, “I was with the squad in England and then I probably spoke to (head selector) George (Bailey) before the PM XI game.”“But they didn’t say too much around selection so I didn’t really know anything until I got the phone call last week about the selection of the squad. It’s a little bit of the unknown which is frustrating but that’s the way it goes sometimes.”Despite this, Harris is hopeful of being handed a recall into the Test team in future, though he admitted to be sceptical about it. “I hope so (about playing for Australia again), but it depends if they want to pick specialist opening batsmen anymore or not.”“Time will tell I suppose. It’s still a bit raw with the disappointment of selection but things can change quickly and I back myself to do a job but it’s up to selectors if they want to pick me or pick specialist opening batsmen anymore.”Australia won the first Test against the West Indies by ten wickets as Travis Head scored a century at his home ground Adelaide Oval, while fast bowler Josh Hazlewood claimed nine wickets in the match. The second Test between the two teams will be held at The Gabba from January 25-29.–IANSnr/){kind=link}
Perth, Jan 20 (IANS) Opener Marcus Harris has spoken up on his non-selection in Australia’s Take a look at squad for the continuing sequence in opposition to the West Indies, saying that he didn’t actually hear an excessive amount of from the nationwide choice committee and was left questioning if specialist openers might be picked within the group.
Harris, Cameron Bancroft and Matthew Renshaw have been the specialist openers within the race to take the spot left by the retirement of David Warner after Australia’s 3-0 sequence win over Pakistan at Sydney.
However Steve Smith turned out to be the brand new opener alongside Khawaja within the first Take a look at in opposition to West Indies at Adelaide, with Cameron Inexperienced slotting in at quantity 4. Harris and Bancroft weren’t chosen, with Renshaw being picked because the reserve batter for the sequence in opposition to the West Indies.
“It’s been attention-grabbing. Coming off the again of the Ashes we knew that Davey had put a timeline on when he needed to complete so there was clearly lots of hypothesis about when he would end and who would exchange him and I used to be clearly one of many names in competition.”
“What’s good now’s that now it has been determined and been carried out, it’s one much less factor I’ve to fret about. It’s been an attention-grabbing couple of months however no less than I do know now the place I stand as an alternative of battling with the unknown. I didn’t actually hear an excessive amount of round choice from them to be sincere,” mentioned Harris on Large World of Sports activities’ 6PR radio.
Harris has performed 14 Assessments for Australia, averaging 25.29, together with smashing simply three-half centuries. Additional requested about his conversations with the selectors’, Harris mentioned, “I used to be with the squad in England after which I in all probability spoke to (head selector) George (Bailey) earlier than the PM XI sport.”
“However they didn’t say an excessive amount of round choice so I didn’t actually know something till I bought the cellphone name final week concerning the choice of the squad. It’s a bit of little bit of the unknown which is irritating however that’s the best way it goes typically.”
Regardless of this, Harris is hopeful of being handed a recall into the Take a look at group in future, although he admitted to be sceptical about it. “I hope so (about taking part in for Australia once more), however it relies upon in the event that they need to choose specialist opening batsmen anymore or not.”
“Time will inform I suppose. It’s nonetheless a bit uncooked with the frustration of choice however issues can change shortly and I again myself to do a job however it’s as much as selectors in the event that they need to choose me or choose specialist opening batsmen anymore.”
Australia gained the primary Take a look at in opposition to the West Indies by ten wickets as Travis Head scored a century at his house floor Adelaide Oval, whereas quick bowler Josh Hazlewood claimed 9 wickets within the match. The second Take a look at between the 2 groups might be held at The Gabba from January 25-29.
–IANS
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