Australian coach Justin Langer has credited Marcus Harris for his strong run of form but refused to guarantee him a starting position in the first Ashes Test.
It comes after Australia’s chairman of selectors George Bailey all but guaranteed Harris would get an extended run at opening alongside David Warner in the Test team.
“Harry’s (Harris) had limited opportunities in the past and he’s been in and out a bit," Bailey told RSN earlier in the week.
"So we’d love nothing more than for him hopefully to get an opportunity to get an extended run at it.”
However, when asked on Sportsday if he too was endorsing Harris for an Ashes spot, Langer turned down the opportunity to lock in the Victorian.
“As soon as I walk out of this room in Dubai I’m walking into an Ashes selection meeting with Bails (Bailey), so we’ll get that one sorted out,” Langer said on Friday evening.
“He’s a good little player, no doubt.
“His number’s all add up, don’t they. He’s been as prolific as anyone in domestic cricket, he had a great county season, he’s really calm, so he’s a great little player.”
The former Test opener did however agree with Bailey that a settled opening pair is needed.
But he said Warner’s partner will not be confirmed until the morning of December 8, when the first Test is scheduled to get underway in Brisbane.
“What I do know is that it’s very important we get our opening combination right, we’ve got (numbers) three and four locked in now, the opening combination of any team, we see it with Finchy (Aaron Finch) and Davey Warner in the white-ball side, the opening combination is important,” Langer continued.
“Lots of people have an opinion, but we’ll know who it’s going to be on the first morning of the Test match.”
Harris is the incumbent for the role but appeared far from guaranteed to open for Australia, despite a strong Sheffield Shield season to date.
Queensland’s Usman Khawaja is the other main contender vying for the role with Harris, however he can bat lower down the order.