David Warner praised for 'classy' act in 'disastrous' Ashes moment

David Warner has been praised for a selfless gesture that appeared to save under-fire opening partner Marcus Harris during a calamitous runout in the second Ashes Test.

After bowling out England for 236 on day three in Adelaide, Steve Smith opted not to enforce the follow on despite Australia taking a 237-run lead into the second innings.

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Australia then went to stumps at 1-45 after Warner was dismissed for 13 in a mid-pitch mix-up with Harris.

Standing at the non-striker's end, Warner appeared to call Harris through for a quick single before realising he couldn't make it.

Warner tried to send Harris back, but his partner had already committed and was heading to the non-striker's end.

Warner also tried to get back in his crease, leaving both Aussie batters sprinting towards the same end.

However Warner appeared to realise that he was at fault and abandoned his attempt to get back to the non-striker's end, letting Harris stay at the crease rather than burn his partner.

While some criticised Harris for the runout, many pointed out that Warner was at fault and appeared to sacrifice himself in the end to save his teammate.

"Well, that’s disastrous for Australia and for David Warner,” Ricky Ponting said on Channel 7.

“The ball goes behind square, just, so it’s the non-striker’s call.

"David Warner started, then stopped, then went back and Harris actually beat him to the bowler’s end.

“Yeah, Warner’s called it for sure, you can see him put the head down and go, horrible mix up.”

Harris is fighting for his place in the Test side and another failure will increase the calls for him to be replaced at the top of the order.

Some thought Warner might have sacrificed himself given his place in the side is well-and-truly safe, whereas Harris' is hanging by a thread.

Marcus Harris desperately fighting to save Test career

Harris went to stumps unbeaten on 21, just the second time the 29-year-old has reached double figures in his last seven first-class innings.

He averages just 9.12 against England in Test cricket - the lowest average of any opening batsman after four Ashes Tests in history.

In his last 14 Test innings he has scored 11, 14, 8, 19, 13, 6, 3, 9, 5, 38, 3, 9*, 3 and 21*.

“He‘s got a bit to think about going forward, Marcus Harris,” Mark Waugh said in commentary after his first innings dismissal in Adelaide.

“He needs a score desperately.”

Glenn Mitchell of the ABC tweeted: “Marcus Harris is skating on thin ice if he fails in the second innings.

"In his 12th Test, having played 22 innings for 443 runs at 22 he has been granted ample opportunities.”

Channel 9 commentator Peter Psaltis wrote: “That’s it. He’s been given enough chances.”

with AAP