Harris told to get on front foot

AXED Test opener Marcus Harris says he has been told by national selectors to be more ruthless in Sheffield Shield cricket.

The Victorian played in the last three Tests of the Ashes series in England but struggled at the top of the order and was dropped in favour of Joe Burns for the home two-Test sweep of Pakistan.

Harris remains on the outside looking in after missing out on selection for Australia’s three-Test series against New Zealand starting next week. The 27-year-old has made 289 runs in his six Shield innings this season at an average of 48.16, with a high score of 116.

He has been advised on what he needs to do to revive an international career that, at a time, he thought was over for good.

“They (the selectors) said they want me to be a bit more ruthless in Shield cricket,” Harris told RSN.

“That’s sort of the feedback you have to take on board.

“I’m out of the team, I’ve got to get back in the team.

“If I get back in the team, I’ve got to make runs.” In nine Tests since his international debut a year ago, Harris has scored 385 runs at 24.06 with a highest score of 79, against India at the SCG last summer.

After being overlooked for Cameron Bancroft against England, Harris returned for the final three Tests but failed to make the most of his chances and managed just 58 runs at 9.66.

Yet it is a dropped catch in the third Ashes Test that has haunted Harris. He was unable to take a catch at third man that allowed Ben Stokes to go on and lead England to a onewicket win at Headingley to level the series.

“Instantly I just thought, that’s game over, that’s career over, everything,” Harris said.