Battling Harris to survive the axe

SELECTORS are set to turn their backs on a landslide public push for Usman Khawaja, after Marcus Harris survived the axe for the Boxing Day Test.

National selector George Bailey promised he’d give embattled opener Harris an extended run and Australia’s dominant start to the Ashes series has allowed him to stay true to his word.

This is despite a News Corp poll revealing only 6 per cent of punters were in favour of Harris holding his spot for the third Test, with a whopping 61 per cent backing in veteran Khawaja to partner his childhood friend David Warner at the top of the order.

Josh Hazlewood returns to Australia’s 15-man squad for the Melbourne and Sydney Tests, but will still need to prove his fitness.

Pat Cummins is back as captain following his Covid scare, meaning there will be changes to the bowling attack that eventually claimed victory at Adelaide Oval late on day five.

Mitchell Starc tweaked his back batting during day four, and, although he showed few signs of discomfort bowling, Australia will assess his condition before making a call on the MCG attack.

Despite England’s fight yesterday, history says Australia are in almost untouchable pos

ition to clinch the Ashes, with Don Bradman’s Invincibles in 1936-37 the last Ashes outfit to fight back from two Tests down and win.

The records of Starc at the MCG and SCG in particular are not as good as at other grounds around Australia.

Selectors may look at the benefits of freshening up their left-arm pink-ball demon in a match before the final Test under lights in Hobart.

Hazlewood’s record in Melbourne isn’t especially brilliant either and selectors will not risk him if they don’t think he’s fully recovered.

Jhye Richardson and Michael Neser have been strong at stages in Adelaide and could be involved in a shootout to see who plays their first Boxing Day Test.

There is no doubt Harris has been saved by the strong performances of the team.