IND vs AUS: Australia Announce Playing XI For Final Test, Marcus Harris Replaces Injured Will Pucovski
During the fifth day of the Pink Test at the SCG, Will Pucovski sustained a shoulder subluxation injury while fielding.
Will Pucovski has been ruled out of the fourth and final Test against India, which is scheduled to start from January 15 in Brisbane. Pucovski has failed a fitness test and hence Marcus Harris named as his replacement to open the innings alongside David Warner.
The 22-year-old wasn’t a part of the first two matches in Adelaide and Melbourne after which he made his Test debut at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground.
In his very first innings, the Victorian batsman impressed one and all, scoring 62 runs. However, Pucovski had hurt his right shoulder while fielding during the fifth and final day of the Sydney Test.
Australia was hopeful of the young opener being able to bat in the series finale but captain Tim Paine on Thursday confirmed that he’s still got a bit of work to do as far as his fitness goes.
“He tried to train this morning and didn’t quite come up,” Paine said. “He’ll have a bit of work to do with our medicos to see where he goes from here, but he’s obviously missing this Test match and Marcus Harris will replace him.”
Harris has nine Tests under his belt in which he has accumulated 385 runs at an average and strike-rate of 24.06. In fact, back in December 2018, the 28-year-old Harris made his Test debut against India at the Adelaide Oval.
“Harry’s just a known (quantity) for us and a very good player,” Paine said.
“He’s been working our backside off in our hub for a while now. He’s had huge numbers in Sheffield Shield cricket and deserves the opportunity. We’re looking forward to him going out there and doing his stuff. He just goes about his business … he adds a bit of humour and comedy to our team and is a really relaxed character.
“He’s someone we certainly enjoy having in and around our group and someone we have full confidence in that when he gets in and gets a start tomorrow, he’ll make the most of it,” he added.
Australia Playing XI:
David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Matthew Wade, Cameron Green, Tim Paine (c & wk), Pat Cummins, Mitch Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
