We have to be on our toes, says Australian opener Harris

Perth, Dec 12 - Australian opener Marcus Harris said the hosts will have to be on their toes from the first ball against India as they don't give any chances, ahead of the second Test here on Wednesday.

"You always doubt yourself as a person, you're not sure if you're going to fit in Test cricket. So, it was good to spend time in the middle in both innings. I didn't feel out of my depth at all," said Harris, who scored a 26 in both the innings on debut at Adelaide.

"But I realised pretty quickly they don't bowl any crap and they don't miss any chances that you give them. So you've got to be switched on from ball one. 

"I felt like my game stood up to it, it's probably just a decision-making thing and being able to occupy the crease for long periods of time, but I didn't feel like I was out of my depth at all," he added.

Harris said he is working on his plans to tackle the Indian bowlers.

"I worked hard in between the first and second innings on some plans against R Ashwin and now I'm just working on guys coming around the wicket and stuff like that to work on plans India will use against me," he said.

"It has given me great confidence to be able to bat a decent period of time and occupy the crease for a bit."

India won the first Test by 31 runs and Harris said the hosts will take heart from the close finish.

"I think we took some good confidence from the fight we showed, it got down to 30 runs. I know when I looked at it as a batter I thought 'I wish I could've got 60 or 70'. So we got pretty close and hopefully we could take some momentum into the game on Friday," Harris said.

"I think the wicket will suit us a little bit more with the conditions, that's taking nothing away from India, but I just think a little bit of momentum. We would've loved to win the game, but the boys bowled really well and they also batted really well. It's probably on us batters to take a bit of the weight from them," he added.

Both India and Australia practiced at the WACA on Wednesday, as the hosts' three pacers as well as off-spinner Nathan Lyon enjoyed a day off.

Harris, who will play at home, wished this Test was at the old WACA ground, but at the same time looked forward to playing at the Optus Stadium.

"I remember coming here (WACA) to watch India here a few years ago, and it might have been Shane Watson getting 50, I remember how loud the crowd was and just the feeling imagining if you were that bloke. So, it is good to be the person on the field now. There have always been great memories for me coming to Tests in Perth and hopefully I can create some memories for young kids coming to games at the new stadium.

"It's pretty special to play in a Perth Test. It would have been great to play at the WACA where it has always been but to get the opportunity to play at the new stadium will be pretty special in the first Test there," he said.

IANS