Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Sam Harper answers each question with the same lighthearted approach he is taking to batting.
“People who watch any (Sheffield) Shield cricket know I am not a great leaver of the ball – I like to hit the ball,” Harper said with a laugh.
Harper rocketed himself into national consideration with a maiden Australia A century on Tuesday afternoon.
Arriving to the crease at 5-104, Harper scored an unbeaten 101 off 153 balls to lift the Aussies to 7-282 at stumps in the second four-day match against India A.
The innings was timely for Australia A’s needs and for Harper’s chances of further ascension.
Josh Inglis is under another injury cloud after fracturing his finger while wicketkeeping in Australia’s One Day International against South Africa last week.
Harper is coming off a blistering Sheffield Shield summer, bringing his authentic firecracker brand to the top of Victoria’s order after several lean years in the middle.
“Well, I think I spent 50 or 60 Shield games trying to block and leave, and we saw what happened there,” Harper quipped, mocking his early-career form.
“The slightly more aggressive approach and trying to put the bowler under more pressure has certainly helped the last few years.”
Harper refused to let the Indian spinners settle, carving seven fours and three sixes at Puducherry Stadium.
“I am always trying to hit the ball first and if I happen to leave it, it must be a decent ball,” he said.
“I was trying to get the spinners off their length. I think if you let them dictate, they’ll dictate you and in these conditions they’ll find a way to get you out.
“Be positive.”
Harper shared an 89-run partnership with fellow Victorian Todd Murphy after Peter Handscomb was earlier dismissed for a duck.
“It’s my second time over here, so I am always going to be learning and adapting,” Harper said.
“Having Pete and Todd here, both Vic teammates who have spent a bit of time on tour, has been nice to touch off.
“Toddy as a spinner and what he’s thinking and then obviously Pete, he’s had success in these conditions, so to touch his brain.
“I feel like my plans were pretty clear, but you’re always going to be learning on the fly over here.”
Harper relished his elevation up the order for the Vics but celebrated this century batting at No.7.
While the right-hander wasn’t quizzed on any messages from Australian selectors, he shares George Bailey’s view on batting orders.
“To be honest, I think we’ll see in the next five, 10, 20 years of modern-day cricket that a batting order is not too dissimilar to a bowling order,” he said.
“Bowlers will bowl at different times and batters will bat at different times. If you want to be adaptable, this day and age you’ve got to do that.
“Honestly, I am happy to bat wherever there’s a chance to help win the game for the team.”
