Sam Harper has inched closer to donning the gloves for Australia’s Test side, following his recent call-up to replace the injured Josh Inglis. This might have been overshadowed by Nic Maddinson’s unexpected return, yet it remains a significant step for Harper, who has swiftly risen in the ranks this year.
At the year’s start, Harper boasted an average of 24.86 and had scored three first-class centuries over 64 matches. Fast forward five games, and he has doubled his centuries, embarking on a rapid journey from scoring a ton for Australia A in Puducherry to joining the Test squad in Potchefstroom. On Saturday, he found himself delivering drinks around the JB Marks Oval during a subdued two-day warm-up match.
Notably, Harper is the first wicketkeeper to be added to the Australian Test contingent, alongside Alex Carey and Josh Inglis, since Jimmy Peirson joined the 2023 Ashes tour. Peirson stepped in when Inglis returned for personal reasons.
Harper’s impressive performance with the bat has boosted his profile, especially after Inglis sustained a fractured finger. Still, George Bailey, chair of selectors, emphasised Harper’s improved wicketkeeping skills.
Bailey stated, “With Harps, the batting’s been wonderful, but I think the keeping, he’s worked incredibly hard on that. And given what we saw last summer and what we expect here, there’s that ability now for keepers to do their work back to the quicks and do their work up to the quicks, and we’re expecting that we’re going to get a heavy amount of spin.”
Harper’s batting prowess has been key to his career progression. Moving up the order for Victoria in response to challenging conditions in the Sheffield Shield, he notched consecutive centuries against Western Australia and a 93 versus Tasmania. His middle-order century for Australia A, accomplished in spin-friendly conditions, further demonstrated his valued versatility.
Bailey continued, “He has been batting pretty well with a different role and a slightly different mindset, which is certainly working. But his ability to come up with a pretty clear plan and be able to put pressure back on the opposition has been impressive over the last little bit.”
While Bailey didn’t rule out Harper playing as a specialist batsman—a role Inglis has filled in his five Tests—he indicated that this would require an expanded injury list for consideration.
Inglis, currently at home in Western Australia, is due for another scan on his finger in a week’s time. A decision regarding his participation in the second Test in Gqeberha beginning October 18th remains pending.
