3 minute read

Marcus Harris, who scored 239 in Victoria's Sheffield Shield opener after a winter debrief with Justin Langer, is keen to face India in a tour game.

In-former opener Marcus Harris would relish the chance to confront India under lights next month, be it in a tour game or the first Test.

Harris was dropped from Australia's Test side after last year's Ashes tour and has been overlooked since.

The 28-year-old, who tinkered with his technique and had an honest conversation with national coach Justin Langer during a seemingly never-ending off-season, gave selectors a timely reminder of his talent in Victoria's Sheffield Shield opener.

Harris (239) and Will Pucovski (255 not out) shared a 486-run opening partnership, rewriting the Shield record books and heaping pressure on incumbent Test opener Joe Burns.

Langer was responsible for one of the numerous congratulatory text messages that flooded Harris' phone.

Harris and Pucovski can build stronger cases for inclusion in what is expected to be an enlarged Test squad, most likely featuring 17 players, with more runs in the Vics' clash with Western Australia that starts on Sunday.

Selectors will also soon settle on the Australia A side that will face India in tune-ups before the first Test.

"I'd be happy to be playing those games. It's better than being stuck at home wearing a mask," Harris told reporters.

"I haven't played much pink ball lately, so that'd be good."

Harris, who made his Test debut against India during their previous visit to Australia in 2018, and Pucovski received a "really nice message" from Langer after their record-breaking efforts.

"He was really excited, so that was good," the left-hander said.

"I had a review with JL in the winter, just about where I stood and what he thought. It was really good, really clear.

"It was the same sort of thing I'd spoken about before and what selectors have spoken about - just being ruthless and making big runs."

Harris also knows how beneficial time spent in the Test squad could be, even if he is ultimately on drinks duty when the four-Test series starts on December 17.

"There's going to be opportunities for guys, even if they're not playing, to be around the Test squad. Like it is when you're in England," Harris said.

"When we were at the Ashes, even if you weren't playing it was still really good to be in and around the squad."