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From page 9
Outside cricket, Harris
played soccer for 14
years and AFL at school
before the summer
game consumed his
time, although he maintained
a strong interest
in the fortunes of SANFL
club Central District Bulldogs.
Harris was supposed to
be still playing for Sussex
in English County
cricket right now, but a
contractual mix-up saw
him register just the one
warm-up game before
being turned back to
Australia.
“At the time it was very
disappointing – it was a
very confusing situation,”
he said. “It was
very complex and hard
to describe. In very simple
terms I tried to play
as a local but I couldn’t
because of my contract
here.
“As disappointing as it is
not to be playing Country
cricket, it has given
me a chance to settle in
here, so a negative has
turned into a massive
positive.”
Harris’ last two summers
have been easily his best
at first class level and he
puts that down to getting
his body more durable.
“Early in my career I got
injured a lot. Every time
I got myself in a good
position, something
would go wrong,” he
said. “I’m in the prime of
my career now and
touch wood I’ll stay fit
and healthy. I’ve had a
consistent training
schedule and looked after
myself better.”
Harris made his State
debut in a 2000-01 onedayer
against Queensland,
and clearly remembers
being given a
warm ‘welcome’ by Matthew
Hayden.
“It was always daunting
when SA played Queensland.
The Queenslanders
were always very
competitive,” he said. “It
will be excellent to be on
Queensland’s side for a
change.
Harris’ personable nature
has already seen
him slot in smoothly with
the playing group and he
will be trying not to put
too much pressure on
himself when the games
come around in October.
“I’m pretty laid back. I
know there will be a little
bit more pressure but
I’ve just got to go out
and do what I do and let
the results take care of
themselves,” he said.
HISTORY IN GOOD HANDS
QC’s History Working
Group meets weekly to
collect, sort and catalogue
old items relevant to the
history of the game in
Queensland. Many items
are displayed in the Allan
Border Field offices at
Breakfast Creek, while
scrapbooks are also diligently
maintained. Items
could relate to Grade,
State or international
cricket. Anyone with items
of cricket interest who
would like to contribute
them to the working
group for safekeeping can
contact coordinator Ian
Sturgess on 3292 3100.