Test hopeful Marcus Harris is so far making the most of his golden opportunity on Day 2 against India A, as his teammates fall around him in bowler-friendly conditions.
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Harris resumed play on Friday morning on 26 not out as the only unbeaten Test hopeful, with fellow contenders Nathan McSweeney (14 runs) and Cameron Bancroft (3) dismissed late on day one.
Prodigy Sam Konstas joined Harris out in the middle, but fell LBW in the second over of the day for three — before his state teammate Ollie Davies departed for 13 after a rogue attempt to hoick over mid-on.
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Tasmanian all-rounder Beau Webster also came and went quickly, knicking off to second slip for five.
The mission for Harris today is as simple as it gets — make as many runs as possible, and reinforce to the selectors that he is the man to partner Usman Khawaja up top this summer.
The 32-year-old has looked comfortable for the most part at the crease, but has certainly bared the brunt of some strong seam bowling from Inda A’s attack on a pitch with tinges of green.
Australia A begun day two at 2/53, having bowled out India A for just 161 on a juicy MCG wicket thanks to a golden four-wicket haul from Test hopeful Michael Neser.
And while a lower leg injury may appear a slight setback for his international ambitions this summer, both Neser and Scott Boland have been lauded by Australia A teammate Beau Webster for their ‘world-class’ attributes.
Dhruv Jurel was the sole performer with the bat for India A on the opening day’s play, hitting a patient 80 off 186 balls.
Play has started half an hour early today at 10am local time, after rain brought a premature end to yesterday’s play.
After 32 overs, Australia A were 5/89 with Harris 39* and Jimmy Peirson 1* amid a rain break.
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