Former Australian Test captain Mark Taylor believes that Marcus Harris' fielding is what has cost him a spot on the upcoming tour of India. Having failed to perform with the bat recently, Harris was replaced with Peter Handscomb for the tour.
Despite being included in this summer's Test squad for both series against the West Indies and South Africa, Harris has made way for former Test player Handscomb for India.
Taylor believes that Harris "brings nothing else to the table apart from his batting" and that has sealed his fate, he told Wide World of Sports.
Handscomb, on the other hand, is noted for his "exceptionally good" fielding in close to the wicket, according to Australia's chair of selectors George Bailey.
Former Test captain Taylor believes that Harris is "not a great fielder and he's not a great catcher, and I suspect that's one of the reasons that he's not on the tour (to India)."
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Despite Harris having fielded in close for Australia, he hasn't been noted for good work under the lid, something Taylor thinks is vital to Australia's bowling attack.
"That's why I think if you're a batsman, an out-and-out batsman, you've got to be a good fielder somewhere. And particularly with catching. The old saying that catches win Test matches is very true," he said.
Taylor even expanded on his theory, noting that Usman Khawaja, not known as an elite fielder, hasn't played as many games as he should have despite his remarkable talent with the bat.
"One of the reasons, I think, that Khawaja hasn't played as many games as he could have is because if he's not making runs he's got nothing to fall back on to say they're contributing," Taylor said.
Handscomb, meanwhile, has always been noted for his fielding. Having frequently played Test cricket for Australia between 2016 and 2019, he was a constant threat at silly point or short leg, while also offers as a secondary option with the gloves.
However, it's not just his fielding that has seen him earn a recall. Handscomb has been far and away the best-performing batsman in the Sheffield Shield so far this season, while he also topped the competition for runs last summer.
The right-hander, who currently has 571 runs at 81.57 this summer, while last season also tallying 697 runs at 49.78, has been rewarded for his good form, experience and versatility.
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While Taylor thinks it's deserved for Handscomb, he did note that at 31 years of age, his being selected is not ideal for Australian cricket. Ideally, he said, young guns like Jason Sangha or Brad Hardie would be stepping up and pressing their claims.
"The fact is he's gone away and made runs and put his name back up there with selectors," Taylor said.
"It's disappointing there hasn't been a younger batsman coming through who could have grabbed that spot. Ideally it would have been nice for a 23-year-old or a 24-year-old to to be that person as the next batter in. So that's probably the disappointing thing and the worry for Australian cricket."
As a massive six months in Australian Test cricket looms, the squad selection for India and England for the Ashes later this year are of vital importance.
The Australians would have fancied their chances in India prior to some crucial injury concerns. However, this tour still presents as one of the best opportunities in roughly 20 years for an away series win against the powerhouse.
Coupled with the Ashes in England mid-year and the high likelihood that the Aussies will play in the World Test Championship final straight after, there is added pressure to get absolutely everything right.
Yet when the pressure is on, oftentimes the best of Australian cricket is on display. No doubt an incredible year of Test cricket awaits.
