Marcus Harris, who was battling for his place in the side, survived a leg-before shout when on 36. Thereafter, he steered Australia close to England’s total, scoring his first fifty in 17 innings and his maiden Ashes one. Australia had lost both Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith cheaply and needed a partnership to steady the ship. Travis Head and Harris put their heads down and ground it out together in the middle for a 61-run stand for the fifth wicket. However, England kept punching holes regularly and are close to wrapping up the hosts’ innings.
Marcus Harris gets to fifty #Ashes pic.twitter.com/7RpGC0983v
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 27, 2021
