Mick Molloy takes a SAVAGE swipe at Aussie cricketer Marcus Harris ahead of tour to India

Veteran comedian Mick Molloy has savaged cricketer Marcus Harris ahead of Australia’s tour of India.

Opening batter Harris, 30, was overlooked last month for the series in the subcontinent which starts on February 9 in Nagpur – but that didn’t stop funny man Molloy having a dig at him.

Speaking on Channel 7’s The Front Bar, Molloy ‘revealed’ why the Indians queried the terms of Usman Khawaja’s visa, which saw him briefly stranded in Australia while the rest of the team flew out for the tour.

‘The Indians singled him (Khawaja) out… the reason was his batting average is too high,’ he joked.

‘If he nicks a few [balls] early they may reconsider…. but they [Indian consulate] are willing to offer Marcus Harris a visa.’

Molloy’s playful jab was met by laughter from the audience.

Veteran comedian and Front Bar star Mick Molloy has savaged cricketer Marcus Harris ahead of Australia’s tour of India

Harris has been unable to dislodge Usman Khawaja and David Warner from the Australian Test team

Harris made his Test debut in 2018, but has been unable to cement his spot in Australia’s XI.

Selectors have opted to pick Khawaja and David Warner to face the new ball, and the pair – who first played together as juniors in Sydney’s east – have proven to be dynamic at the top of the order.

Khawaja, 36, is now with his teammates abroad after his visa papers were finally rubber-stamped late on Wednesday night.

He holds an Australian passport – but any visa applicant to India who was born in Pakistan must fill in a separate part of the application form.

The father of two – who on Monday was crowned Test Player of the Year – vented his frustration at the delay on social media.  

On Wednesday, Khawaja used a Facebook post (pictured) to inform his fans that he was still waiting for his visa to come through, adding the caption ‘#stranded #standard’

In 2011 the star batsman (pictured, playing South Africa in January) was initially denied a visa by India – a decision he angrily said was based on the fact he was born in the country’s great rival, Pakistan, before migrating to Australia as a toddler

‘Me waiting for my Indian Visa like… #stranded #dontleaveme #standard #anytimenow,’ the 36-year-old posted when he was left at Sydney Airport.

After flying to Melbourne and preparing to sleep in a hotel, Khawaja was informed – on Twitter – by India’s High Commissioner to Australia, Manpreet Vohra his visa had finally been accepted.

‘Your visa is being issued and collected right now. Have a wonderful tour and series,’ Vohra wrote on Wednesday night.

‘Regards and best wishes from the High Commission and Consulate General of India.’

Khawaja boarded a flight early on Thursday morning and will join his teammates at a training camp in Bangalore ahead of the first Test.