SPORT Harris in line for opener

THE messages David Warner sent to Marcus Harris came out of the blue.

But they could prove to be crucial building blocks for one of Australia’s most important Ashes relationships.

Harris looms as the man most likely to open the batting with Warner when the Australians take on the old enemy in the first Test in Birmingham from August 1.

He’s the incumbent opener after he played six Tests and posted 1188 runs in the Sheffield Shield last season, including a matchwinning 141 for Victoria in the Shield final.

The prolonged absence of Joe Burns, his opening partner during Australia’s most recent Test series against Sri Lanka, seemingly had Harris as an unopposed opening contender.

Burns, who made 180 against Sri Lanka in Canberra in February, quit his county cricket stint in England in May and on his return home was diagnosed with a fatigue disorder.

But he has returned and, opening with Harris for Australia A against Sussex in a tour game last week, both men made centuries. Harris made 109 and Burns 133.

The re-emergence of banned opener Cameron Bancroft, who has made more than 1000 runs for English county team Durham this season, has further complicated things.

Add to that Harris’ new found relationship with Warner.

While Warner served out the last months of his yearlong suspension in relative silence, he offered support to his fellow left-hander which began a relationship Harris is keen to grow.