James Alexander Russell Harris is a former professional cricket player from England who gained recognition for his skills as a seamer and lower-order batsman. Born on November 28, 1989, Harris displayed an early talent for cricket and quickly made a name for himself in the sport.
At the age of 14 years and 353 days, Harris became the youngest player to appear for Glamorgan 2nd XI in 2005. Just a month later, he also became the youngest player to represent Wales Minor Counties, where he displayed his bowling prowess by taking 3 wickets for 48 runs against the Netherlands.
Impressed by his talent, Glamorgan signed Harris to a contract in 2006 when he was just 15 years old. That same year, he captained the England Under-16s team, further cementing his status as a rising star in English cricket. Harris made his first-class debut at the young age of 16 and soon after, he became the first 17-year-old to take a seven-wicket haul in the Championship.
His exceptional performance in his debut season earned him a spot in the England Performance Programme squad, which toured India in late 2007. Harris was also part of the England squad for the Under-19 World Cup in 2008, showcasing his talent on the international stage.
In 2009, Harris received a call-up to the England Lions team to face the Australians, further validating his potential. During the same season, he took an impressive 41 wickets in the Championship, establishing himself as a formidable fast bowler. The following season, Harris continued to showcase his skills by taking a remarkable 63 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls.
His outstanding performance earned him a place in the England Lions tour to the West Indies, where he claimed 14 wickets at an average of 30.35. In 2011, Harris excelled once again in county cricket, taking 47 wickets at an average of 27.42.
However, his successful run was cut short by a groin injury, likely a result of the heavy workload he had endured over the previous seasons. Despite his best efforts at rehabilitation, Harris required a double hernia operation and two injections into his groin.
After a prolonged recovery period, Harris returned to action in May 2012, rejoining the England Performance Programme in India. Although he was called up to the full England squad for a T20 series, he was not selected.
Dissatisfied with his progress, Harris decided to leave Glamorgan, where he had taken 204 first-class wickets, and joined Middlesex in 2012. Over the next two years, Harris struggled to find his form, focusing on increasing his pace but losing confidence in his action and consistency.
In 2015, Harris decided to return to his original approach, and it paid off. He took 9 for 34 against Durham at Lord’s, showcasing his talent and reclaiming his place as one of England’s most promising fast bowlers. He finished the season with an impressive tally of 69 Division One wickets at an average of 25.74.
The following season brought Middlesex the Championship title, but Harris played in fewer games. In 2018, he aimed to improve his batting skills and showed potential, averaging 33 with the bat. However, he fell short of scoring his maiden county century.
Throughout his career, Harris faced numerous challenges but remained determined to showcase his talent. Despite setbacks and injuries, he continued to work hard to reach his full potential as a cricket player.
