In four innings in the ongoing Ashes series, Australian Opener Marcus Harris has had scores of 3, 9 not out, 3 and 23. But despite his failure to give the hosts good starts in the first two Tests of the five-match series, Harris is place in the playing XI is secured for the third Test starting in Melbourne on Boxing Day.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Australia coach Justin Langer has confirmed Harris will open the batting in the Boxing Day Test despite failing to fire in two Tests so far. Harris appeared a man under pressure heading into the third Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), but Langer has given him his unequivocal backing.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"He'll play in the Test, no worries about that," Langer said on Thursday. "This is his home ground. He's played a lot at the MCG," Langer was quoted as saying in reports in Australian media.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"He hasn't made the runs he'd like to so far, but he dominates domestic cricket. So he knows that he knows how to play. He's a fantastic bloke around the squad ... And we know he's a very good player.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"For him and for us, we're hoping he plays well and gets a good partnership with Davey Warner in this Boxing Day Test match," Langer said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Having experienced similar pressure over his spot early in his Test career, Langer knows how valuable the backing of those that matter can be to a misfiring batter.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"That's absolutely one of the most important things in life, knowing people have got your back," Langer said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"My experience, when Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Mark Taylor or Allan Border said 'you're in the team', you feel like you feel like Superman.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"You feel like you're important to the team and Marcus Harris is important to the team."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Alongside Cameron Green, Harris is the one member of the Australian top seven not to have made a major contribution with the bat so far in the series.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Langer, however, is confident a big innings is just around the corner, the report said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I think an opening partnership is very, very important," Langer told the media.<\/p>\r\n\r\n