It’s early days, but 26-year-old Australian opening batsman Marcus Harris and 25-year-old Indian opening bowler Jasprit Bumrah are exciting prospects.
This Perth Test is only Harris’ second, and Bumrah’s eighth, but they have already notched up runs and wickets to command attention.
Harris’ first class career got off to a flying start in only his third Sheffield Shield game for Western Australia. He broke Clem Hill’s record that had stood for 115 years as the youngest to crack 150. He was 18 years of age at the time.
This season’s highlight has been an unbeaten 250 for the Vics against NSW, showing he’s not afraid to go big.
What he’s shown in his three Test digs to date is an ability to mix patience with power and placement.
If there’s a weakness it’s a casual flick outside off stump, with a horizontal bat.
But when he sticks to his strength of a perpendicular bat in an arc from cover through mid-off, straight, mid-on, and mid-wicket, Harris looks every inch a Test batsman.
Yesterday in Perth was a perfect example, especially in the patience department.
In his first Test half-century, Harris struck nine fours off 90 deliveries.
That translates to 36 off nine deliveries, with the remaining 14 off 81 – that’s patience.
Marcus Harris with Victoria. (Photo: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
His final score of 70 off 141 with 10 fours, translates to 40 off 10, and the remaining 30 off 131 – same story.
The flick was again his undoing, so once he either improves the shot, or gives it a miss, the baggy greens have unearthed a new faithful servant.
Overall, he’s patience personified with the bat, and an excellent fieldsman.
Jasprit Bumrah is a totally different proposition.
No-one could teach a budding bowler to bowl like Bumrah, he’s exclusive to himself.
I’ve never seen a fast bowler walk eight to ten paces before breaking into a run of only six steps yet he can generate 140-145 kph deliveries with superb accuracy, moving the ball either way with his delivery arm well away from his ducking head.
Decidedly odd, but very effective.
In only his third Test since debuting in January this year against South Africa, Bumrah had career-best match figures of 7-111 in Johannesburg, claiming the wickets of Quentin de Kock twice, plus Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis, and AB de Villiers.
By any standards, that’s very impressive.
Bumrah is among the leading Test wicket-takers this year with 35 at 24.91. He sits just behind the leader – South African quick and world number one Kagiso Rabada, who has 46 at 20.39.
That too is very impressive.
He’s been the best Indian bowler so far in this series, but Lady Luck hasn’t looked kindly on him, despite the fact he has pointlessly beaten more Australian batsmen than his colleagues.
So get used to Harris and Bumrah. They will be around for a long time – and will always be entertaining.
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
ATM, Harris is providing some patient stability at the top of the order. Something that's been missing for some time. The selectors should take much of the blame by trying to turn a test into a one dayer and selecting short form players thinking they have the patience for test cricket. You dont need to go at 4 or 5 an over and then throw away your wicket cheaply. 40 off 50 isn't as valuable as 80 off 160.
Jason
Roar Rookie
Can't see why he can't bat at 5.
Kane
Roar Rookie
Warner and Smith shouldn't play for Australia again, I don't care how bad we're batting.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
What happens to Khawaja?
Chris Love
Roar Guru
Harris has already “learned to go on with it”. If he can score 250 in the shield and was on 70 before an unplayable delivery yesterday. No batsman in world cricket would have expected that ball to act like that.
Simoc
Guest
I think you need an optician. Wasim Akram bowled nothing like Bumrah and your optical illusion is inside your head. A similar action was used by an Australian quick many years back. I think he was called Froggy something. I watched Malcom Marshall in the nets once and he could generate 140kmh off 3 steps without effort. Made me wonder why he used a run up at all. Bumrahs accuracy is fantastic and it may be one young bowlers should replicate.
Kopa Shamsu
Guest
Didn't get what is the problem with Renshaw. I thought he was doing fine in international arena after being new comer.
Jason
Roar Rookie
Harris and Bancroft long term openers in my opinion . Warner to 3 Smith at 4 . Handscomb is out of his depth.
Kopa Shamsu
Guest
Impressive is a relative term. In Ranji trophy, there are at least 10-12 bowlers with better wicket rate per innings, average & strike rate( minimum of 10 innings) than him. At least 40% of them better him in all categories simultaneously.
Paul
Roar Guru
Smith is automatic, Warner....... maybe not.
peter chrisp
Guest
With the suspensions of Smith & Warne a few months ago & it's early stages for Marcus Harris if and when they do return, i'd imagine both are automatic selections & Marcus will be dropped?
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
People said the same thing about Renshaw, the new saviour of The Australian team.
Frankie Hughes
Guest
Bumrah’s record in the Ranji Trophy is pretty impressive more so as he played on those flat pitches in northern India.
Paul
Roar Guru
Wasim Akram bowled in similar fashion to Bumrah - short run up and whippy action. I thought he bowled way to short on a pitch that demanded the ball be pitched up at least a metre more than normal. His figures are impressive on paper but he bowled a lot of deliveries guys didn't have to face. I'm too am wondering about his action? I'd love to see it slowed down as it seems a few body parts straighten - a lot. Might be an optical illusion from his fast arm action, but still.....
Ouch
Roar Rookie
Apparently the mechanics of Bumrahs action (so I hear) are going to take a heavy toll on his body, rather quickly. His knees especially.
thecolumn
Roar Rookie
I though Sharma and Shami have backed him up well. Harris and the other top 6 need to learn how to 'go on with it' turning 50s into 100s
Kopa Shamsu
Guest
Way to early to say IMO. Harris has done good today on a not so batting friendly pitch. He has already encountered spin on a slowish pitch in Adelaide. Would like to see him in next ashes. As for Bumrah, still have to see what he does when conditions aren't bowling friendly. Luckily for him, till date all tests he has played have been conductive to bowling. His control over line length is good. But can he sustain that over longer period of time when conditions favour batting? I would like to see him on bouncy or flat wicket & of course, in his own backyard. It is interesting, despite being around long period of time( I can remember him playing in last t20 wc) he debuted in tests late, that too outside home. Whatever it is, he has established himself to be nucleas of Indian bowling. Take him out & their bowling is flat. Both of them have potentials, have made very good starts. To be seen, how they prove themselves outside favourable conditions.