Aussies know first Ashes Test team: Harris

National high performance coach Ryan Harris says Australian selectors have already got in mind their team for the first Test against England.

Australian selectors already know their preferred team for the first Ashes Test, national high performance coach Ryan Harris says.

But Harris, who will coach a Cricket Australia XI against England in Adelaide from Wednesday, says he hasn't been told the likely Test squad.

"Australia have got a pretty good idea of who they want to pick," Harris told reporters in Adelaide on Tuesday.

"I haven't been told any of that but I'm pretty sure they would be set on a couple of guys.

"I haven't spoken to (coach) Darren Lehmann about that. I have got (national bowling coach) David Saker with me as well and he's pretty tight-lipped.

"And I think that is the way they want to keep it, they don't want it to get out."

Harris' comments appear at odds with Lehmann and captain Steve Smith who have stated the three Sheffield Shield games leading into the Ashes opener from November 23 will be decisive in selecting a side.

"We have seen some good (Shield) scores from players," Harris said.

"I'm sure Darren would have liked to have seen a few more scores from probably other players, (Matthew) Renshaw probably, who hasn't got a big one so far.

"I'm sure they would have an idea who is going to be picked, definitely."

Harris vowed his inexperienced CA XI side would seek to disrupt the preparation of the tourists in the pink-ball day-night fixture in Adelaide from Wednesday to Saturday.

The second Test will be a day-nighter in Adelaide and Harris wants to prevent the Englishmen gaining experience batting at dusk and night-time.

"We will try and make it as hard as we can for them, hopefully they're not batting around that time, that is my plan," Harris said.

"We will try and bat as long as we can and hopefully bowl them out as quick as we can ... we're not here to make it easy for England.

"We want to make sure it's a tough prep going into a big series.

"I know being on these sort of tours, your warm-up games can set the tone for the tour. You don't want to lose, so our job is to make it as tough as we can."


Share

3 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world