Australian opening batsman Marcus Harris is set to have a spell in English county cricket after he reached an agreement on a one-season deal with Leicestershire. As per the terms of this Harris will be eligible to play both white-ball and red-ball cricket for the county club. The immediate attention will be on County Championship that begins next month before moving on to the Royal London one-day tournament.
Harris recently featured for Australia during the fourth test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy against India. He opened the batting for Australia with David Warner at  Gabba  in January after Will Pucovski was injured in the Sydney test. Harris made his debut for the Australian team in test cricket against India during the 2018 Border Gavaskar trophy. He averages 24 in ten test matches with two half-centuries to his name.
It has been an inconsistent spell at international cricket for Harris. However, he has the talent and opportunity to establish himself as the first-choice opener in the Australian team. A spell in county cricket would help him to polish the rough edges of his game in bowling-friendly conditions. Leicestershire coach Paul Nixon has backed Harris to add quality and experience to the squad in the upcoming campaign.
“Marcus is a high-class opening batsman and will add both quality experience to the top of our batting order. He has an excellent first-class record in the Sheffield Shield. He has represented Australia at the highest level in the test match arena and will also add a high-class option to our 50-over side, which also fits the bill with Colin Ackermann winning selection for Manchester Originals in the Hundred.”
Harris was included in the Test squad for the tour of South Africa before Cricket Australia decided to cancel the series due to health concerns. The 28-year-old southpaw will be looking to use county cricket to put his name in contention for Ashes in the series. The second opening spot remains a concern for Australia after the poor form of Joe Burns and injury concerns of Pucovski. A strong stint in the county cricket will boost Harris’ chances of making it to the Ashes squad.