Australia’s most prolific Test opener Matthew Hayden has urged Marcus Harris to put the cut shot away until after he reaches three figures in his innings and start playing straighter for longer.
Harris has been one of Australia’s best finds of the summer with starts in all but one of his eight innings, but he is yet to turn any of those scores into centuries.
The left-hander was caught at point on 44 in Australia’s series-opening Test win over Sri Lanka in Brisbane, and has also been out trying to hit balls square from well outside off stump on three other occasions this summer.
And fellow southpaw Hayden, who amassed 8,625 runs at the top of the order with 30 centuries, said Harris had to restrain himself for longer in order to thrive at Test level.
“I’ve been really impressed with Harris but I think he plays too square of the wicket for an opening batsman,” Hayden told AAP.
“He needs to straighten his game up and play straight and bat for long periods of time. And be disciplined to the point of ‘I’m not going to play a cut shot until I’m on 120 or 130’.”
Hayden watched on in Brisbane while helping raise over $50,000 for drought relief, but was again frustrated by Australia’s inability to score a century this summer.
It’s a problem he believes that goes back to Sheffield Shield cricket, where less big scores are being made than in his era.
Every Australian batsman averaged between 20 and 40 in the series against India, while Australians have eight times been dismissed between 60 and 85 this summer – including Harris and Travis Head twice.
“It’s a mindset thing,” Hayden said.
“I used to find that in the 30s or 60s I was always vulnerable because at 30 you’re just starting to break through as an opening batsman, you’ve done all the hard work and you’re starting to feel the ball.
“And then at 60 you’re starting to get touch, so you start to explore what that looks like.
“But to get big runs you have to go ‘okay well I know I’m vulnerable here now, I’m going to work my way be it a time goal or partnership goal, I’m going to work my way through a stage of the game’.”
Paul
Roar Guru
Fair cop Tom and I recall Tendulkar belted us straight down the ground if we were even a fraction full and when we pitched even a fraction wide, he hammered us through point. In Harris case, I don't know a) if he the range of shots to cover for giving up the cut shot, b) if he has the temperament to do so for long periods and c) the ability to make up for a lack of productivity through point by scoring in other ways. I'm not seeing a lot of quick singles being taken, for example.
Tom
Guest
Remember the series in Australia Tendulkar killed us despite not playing a single cover drive?
Tom
Guest
Anyone who watches shield knows Harris doesn’t have the temperament
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Fair Point big fella. As a unit they need to stop helping the bowlers.
JamesH
Roar Guru
You could see the hesitation in Harris' last dismissal. It was there for a full blooded cut but he seemed to second guess himself and hold back. I tend to think that when players are getting out like this, rather than continually being beaten due to technical or skill deficiencies, and there isn't anyone really knocking the door down to replace them, it's best to back them in and give them some time to work it out.
AREH
Roar Guru
It's an interesting one, reminds me of the late P Hughes (RIP) in that his expansive cover and square drives were on one hand a scoring weapon for him, but also risky in that he would get himself out a lot doing so. Similarly, Peter Handscomb and playing the ball behind the wicket - equally a strength and a weakness. Not sure Harris should put away the cut shot entirely, but like Travis Head, just needing to work on keeping concentration for longer periods, after making a great start.
Paul
Roar Guru
You're right James, but I think there's degrees of certainty. At T20 level for example, if it's short of a length and even a fraction wide, it's certain to get the treatment whereas at Test level, it needs to be a genuine old fashioned half tracker. It has to be hard for these guys, making that level of decision especially against a Bumrah, for example. Best to err on the side of caution but as you say, easier said than done.
JamesH
Roar Guru
I think it's a false comparison between his last dismissal and the other times he's been out cutting. Those earlier dismissals were due to the ball not quite being there to hit and Harris trying to manufacture an opportunity. The last one was a stinker of a ball and he just played it badly. Harris and Head both just need to be a little more circumspect and recognise when a ball isn't quite in their wheelhouse. The cut can remain a productive shot for them once they're set but they need to be certain that it's there to hit. Easier said than done.
Paul
Roar Guru
Does it help to say to a player "don't play a shot" when it's been a bread & butter scoring shot through their careers? A batsman at this level is going to look and feel pretty stupid, if he gets a wide half tracker, begging to be belted and does nothing with it.
Daniel Buchanan
Roar Rookie
Hayden is essentially highlighting the need for mental toughness and discipline in Test batting From what we have seen, Harris has all the talent, so let's hope he has the mental game too All the short form cricket can't be great for developing this though?