Australian opening batsman Marcus Harris is prepared to make an impact if he gets a chance in the Ashes series against England, even though he expects opener David Warner to play the fourth Test at Old Trafford from Wednesday.
Warner's place in the side remains a matter of speculation after his twin failure in Leeds, where he fell to Stuart Broad in both innings as England prevailed by three wickets to stay alive in the five-match series.
Warner has managed one half-century in six innings in the series but forged three fifty-plus opening partnerships with Usman Khawaja.
"Davey's obviously a bit of a lightning rod for opinion," Harris told reporters on Sunday.
"But I think they've done really well – as an opening partnership when you can get the team off to a good start.
"Even if you’re not getting the big runs that you want to get, if you can still contribute to the team in some way, shape or form, I think you're doing a job."
Australia are considering ways to accommodate both Mitchell Marsh, who smashed a hundred and grabbed two wickets in Leeds, and the all-rounder he replaced, Cameron Green, who sat out the third Test with a hamstring strain.
Given a chance, Harris said he would grab it with both hands.
"The training we can do now with how big the squad is as a collective ... is as good, if not better, than playing a game of cricket," said Harris, who played the last of his 14 Tests against England in Sydney last year.
"All you can do is prepare the best you can. Like we saw with Mitch [Marsh] last game, you never know when your chance will come up. "If I am called upon, I am ready to go."
England have named an unchanged squad for the fourth Test in Manchester.
Ashes second Test fourth day - in pictures
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Chris Woakes of England celebrates with teammate Mark Wood after hitting the winning runs to win the Ashes 3rd Test against Australia at Headingley on July 9, 2023. Getty -
England's Mark Wood in action. PA -
England's Mark Wood celebrates after winning the match. Reuters -
England's Chris Woakes and Mark Wood celebrate after winning the 3rd Test against Australia. Reuters -
Chris Woakes of England hits out. Getty -
Australia's Pat Cummins, left, and Mitchell Starc both go for a catch to take the wicket of England's Harry Brook. PA -
Harry Brook of England hits out. Getty -
England's Harry Brook plays a shot. AFP -
England's Harry Brook celebrates his half century. AP -
England's Jonny Bairstow is bowled by Australia's Mitchell Starc. AFP -
Australia players check on England's Ben Stokes after he was struck by the ball. PA -
England captain Ben Stokes. Getty -
England's Ben Stokes reacts as he walks after losing his wicket, caught by Australia's Alex Carey off the bowling of Mitchell Starc. Reuters -
England's Joe Root is dismissed by Australia's Pat Cummins. Reuters -
Australia captain Pat Cummins celebrates with Mitchell Marsh after dismissing Joe Root of England. Getty -
Joe Root of England drives. Getty -
Joe Root of England hits out against Australia. Getty -
Mitchell Marsh of Australia celebrates dismissing Zak Crawley of England. Getty -
England's Zak Crawley drives on his way to a score off 44. Reuters -
Moeen Ali of England is bowled by Mitchell Starc of Australia. Getty -
England's Moeen Ali walks back to the pavilion after lbeing clean bowled by Mitchell Starc. AFP -
Australia's Mitchell Starc celebrates after taking the wicket of England's Ben Duckett. PA
