Harris enjoys a happy homecoming in Perth
MARCUS Harris, having seen many special Test moments at the WACA Ground growing up, is the proud owner of a piece of history at Perth Stadium.
Harris (pictured) became the first person to score a Test half-century at the new venue yesterday when he scored 70 off 141 balls in the second Test against India.
The 26-year-old defied predictions of a bowler-friendly wicket to combine with Aaron Finch for a 112-run opening stand.
Harris started cautiously, failing to score off his first 15 deliveries.
But he unleashed some glorious strokes once he started to feel more comfort- able. And he did it despite some demons in the Perth Stadium wicket.
Harris could only smile in disbelief when a Mohammed Shami delivery bounced so low it almost rolled.
Luckily for him, the delivery was outside off stump.
He was finally undone when a delivery from parttime spinner Hanuma Vihari hit a crack and jumped up, with the batsman fending the ball to slip.
“He’s got a really good understanding of his game,” Australian assistant coach Brad Haddin said of Harris.
“The way he played in difficult conditions, he showed good discipline.
“It’s one of those wickets where it’s important, once you get in, to go as big as you possibly can.”
Although Harris plays for Victoria these days, he remains a West Australian at heart, and was eager to post a big score in front of family and friends.
One of his favourite memories was Glenn McGrath’s hat-trick against the West Indies in 2000 at the WACA.
The talented left-hander is part of the generation who has the chance to create a new set of memories at Perth’s 60,000-seat venue.
In 37C heat yesterday, Harris cracked 10 boundaries in his fighting knock.
Not bad for a player once rated “mediocre with flashes of brilliance” by Justin Langer, who made that comment when Harris defected in 2016 to Victoria.
Langer later said he viewed him as like his little brother, and made the comment to try to motivate the youngster to achieve greater heights.
Harris showed potential on debut in Adelaide, but his knock in Perth has given fans a taste of his capabilities.