"Welcome to the brotherhood, you little bastard."
With that text message, Australian coach and selector Justin Langer congratulated "comedian" Marcus Harris on his selection in a 14-man Test squad for next month's first Test against India in Adelaide.
Added Harris: "I said to him I was actually speechless and he said 'no you weren't'. It was really good. I am really looking forward to seeing him. I haven't seen him for a little while."
Marcus Harris is in line for a Test debut against India next month.Credit:Joe Armao
While much has been made of Langer's blunt assessment of Harris when the latter left his native Western Australia two years ago – "mediocre with flashes of brilliance" was how then-WA coach Langer reportedly summed up the man many felt was in the former Test star's own image – the pair have since smoothed any perceived choppy waters.
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After all, they had each hailed from the same WA club, Scarborough, and even had the same batting coach, Neil Holder.
"It didn't really wind me up with what he said. We had a really good meeting when I left WA. I know we ended on good terms. I understood that if you put a lot of time into someone and they leave the state you would be upset. That was fine by me," Harris said.
"That's all good, no worries there."
Not for the first time in his distinguished career, Langer was on the front foot on Thursday, declaring any perceived issues with Harris, 26, had been a "myth".
Langer said the pair had departed with a hug after a 90-minute meeting at a Perth cafe in 2016 when Harris outlined why a change of scenery was required.
"Let me squash this straightaway – Marcus Harris is like my little brother," he said.
"I have known him at Scarborough Cricket Club since he was about 10 years old. Did I say mediocre with flashes of brilliance. Yeah, I did. That's what he was – that's the truth, look at it.
"I used to turn up every Sheffield Shield game to watch my little brother bat. I could not wait to watch him bat because I loved the way he goes about his business. I used to throw millions of balls at him … but then he would get 20 – I would want to shake him every time. Then he would play these amazing innings, whether it was in Shield finals or in white-ball finals."
Having averaged a modest 28.43 in 41 first-class matches for WA, dismissed too often from injudicious shots, Harris has since scored 1951 runs at 47.58 with five tons for Victoria, including 437 at 87 in the opening four matches of the Shield this summer. Off the field, the robust left-hander has also matured in his approach to training and what's required to be a professional cricketer.
"I have had a good couple of years here with the Vics. It's great to have been a part of a successful side. I have probably fed off that a little bit so, obviously, to win a Shield in the first year here, and to have another solid season last season, probably helped my case," Harris said.
He was one of five Victorians named in an extended squad that will be cut to 12 heading into the Adelaide opener on December 6. While he is technically the only specialist opening batsman, Langer and fellow selectors Greg Chappell and Trevor Hohns are still weighing up whether the partnership between Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja, unveiled against Pakistan last month, should continue.
Finch and Harris have never opened for Victoria in the Sheffield Shield because Finch has been used in the middle order. That, however, is set to change in next week's Shield clash against Queensland, with Finch to face the new ball in his only red-ball clash – Cameron White is likely to be dropped – before taking on the Indians.
Harris' selection is a reward for performance in the Sheffield Shield.Credit:Joe Armao
Harris' selection is reward for strong performances – rather than on promise, as the national selectors had been guilty of on occasions.
His work this summer included a 250 against NSW at the MCG last month. He is no stranger to big scores – in his third first-class match for WA he thumped 157, breaking a 115-year record in becoming the youngest Australian to score a first-class 150.
It's an innings Darren Lehmann, then the Bulls coach, recalled this week.
"[India] are a good attack but I think hes good enough to play. He made 150 on debut when I was coaching Queensland, I thought this kid is very much in the mould of Justin Langer with probably a few more expansive shots," he said on Macquarie Radio.
Harris has also excelled under major pressure, earning man-of-the-match honours in the 2014-15 Sheffield Shield final when he scored 81 and 158 against Victoria in Hobart.
What has changed, however, is an ability to be consistent, working closely with Victorian assistant coach Lachie Stevens on his mindset.
"I have been able to keep myself on a level playing field. I know when I was young if I got a hundred I would be so up that the next game I would almost be low. Just being able to back up games and be more consistent has probably been my main focus in last couple of years and has begun to show with my results," he said.
While Harris' immediate focus is maintaining his on-field form, there's also a sudden, pressing issue – what to do with his french bulldog Archie over the festive season with four Tests against India on the cards.
"Poor little Archie, he has gone to stay at [teammate] Michael Beer's house for a couple of weeks. He might go to a pet hotel – we'll have to sort something out," he said.
Australia Test squad: Marcus Harris, Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (vice-captain), Tim Paine (capt), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Chris Tremain, Peter Siddle, Peter Handscomb.
Jon Pierik is a sports writer with The Age, focusing primarily on AFL football, cricket and basketball. He has won awards for his cricket and basketball writing.
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