Dismissed as mediocre by Justin Langer, Victoria opening batsman Marcus Harris is proving his former coach wrong with an outstanding start to the Sheffield Shield season.
After departing Western Australia earlier this year, Harris announced his arrival with a man-of-the-match performance in Victoria's opening-round win over Tasmania at the MCG last week, scoring a quickfire century in the first innings and a poised 77 in the second.
The 24-year-old showed off his range of shots and was again Victoria's top scorer with 75 as the Bushrangers gained a narrow first-innings lead over Queensland at the MCG on Friday.
Veteran spinner Jon Holland was full of praise for Harris, saying he expected the dimunitive left-hander's name would come up in conversations about Australia's future Test side.
"We all think he's been a great player," Holland said.
"He's only young but he makes a lot of runs, he bats really well and he's got a good attitude. I have no doubt he could be pressing for higher honours."
Warriors coach and Test great Langer was less effusive when Harris announced his departure in April, describing his performance over six seasons in Perth as "mediocre with flashes of brilliance".
"Marcus played more than 40 matches for WA and scored just four centuries," Langer told The West Australian newspaper.
"That must be frustrating for him, as it is for the coaches and fans.
"I respect the fact that our program is not for everyone and he leaves with our best wishes and the hope that he can one day play for Australia."
Harris' first-class average of 30.65 suggests he does have more work to do in order to eventually earn a call-up from Australia's Test selectors.
But his strong performance to start the domestic summer came as no surprise to his Victorian teammates, who rate the youngster highly.
"He made a hundred against us in a Shield final against us a couple of years ago and looked really good so to get him over here, it's no surprise to us he's done really well," Holland said.
Share
