Solid stint for Harris

DERBYSHIRE V AUSTRALIANS

USMAN Khawaja and Marcus Harris’ selection showdown in Derby ended in heartbreak for the latter yesterday, when he was run out after a calamitous mix up between the pair as they audition to open in the fourth Ashes Test.

Stand-in skipper Khawaja was promoted to open in this week’s three-day clash with Derbyshire after batting at first drop in the first three Tests.

Dropping Harris or Khawaja looms as the most likely option for selectors mulling how to accommodate Steve Smith’s return at Old Trafford, where the five-Test series continues on Wednesday.

Coach Justin Langer and chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns will consider more than one innings when making the call but captain Tim Paine, who has been rested from this tour game, admitted it was important players keep their “name up in front of the selectors” by excelling in Derby.

Khawaja, boasting an average of 96.8 from seven Test innings at the top of the order, appears in the box seat to partner David Warner next week.

The veteran, having offered a sharp caught-and-bowled chance on 15, was 68 not out at lunch after marching his team to 1-169 in response to Derbyshire’s 172.

Khawaja and Harris shared a 106-run opening stand, comfortably higher than anything Australia have managed in the first three Tests against England. It was snapped in jarring TOUR MATCH, DERBY REECE c Bancroft b Neser.......... 28 GODLEMAN c Wade b Neser......... 0 DAL c Carey b Neser..................... 0 DU PLOOY b Siddle..................... 86 HUGHES c Marsh b Labuschagne.. 9 HOSEIN c Carey b Marsh............ 19 CRITCHLEY c Carey b Starc ........ 11 GLEADALL b Starc........................ 0 PALLADINO b Starc....................... 0 QADRI c Siddle b Labuschagne..... 5 MELTON not out........................... 0 Sundries (9lb 5w)....................... 14 0, 0, 66, 89, 136, 151, 151, 151, 172, 172. Starc 16-5-46-3, Neser 11-4-31-3, M. Marsh 11-1-33-1, Siddle 8-3-11-1, Labuschagne 10.2-2-37-2, Smith 1-0-5-0. 57.2. HARRIS run out (Melton)............ 64 KHAWAJA not out........................ 68 MARSH not out............................ 24 Sundries (10b 2nb 1w).............. 13 106. Palladino 13-3-34-0, Melton 9-4-27-0, Gleadall 9-0-39-0, Qadri 12-4-25-0, Hughes 3-0-8-0. Dal 4-1-8-0, Critchley 4-0-18-0. 54. fashion early on day two when Harris, on 64, took off for a quick single after pushing the ball to the off side.

Khawaja remained at the non-striker’s end as a direct hit from Dustin Melton, on firstclass debut, found Harris well short of his ground.