Lord Harris, born George Robert Canning Harris on February 3, 1851, in St. Anne’s, Trinidad, was a highly influential figure in the world of cricket. He made significant contributions to the sport both as a player and as an administrator. Lord Harris was known for his exceptional batting skills and commanding presence on and off the field.
Lord Harris received his cricket education at Eton, where he developed his skills under the guidance of renowned coaches R. A. H. Mitchell and Rev. G. R. Dupuis. He earned a place in the Eton Eleven in 1868 and continued to excel in the sport throughout his school years. His talent caught the attention of selectors, and he earned his blue at Oxford as a Freshman.
However, Lord Harris’s most notable association was with the county of Kent. He played for Kent starting from 1870 and became a member of the county’s committee. In 1874, he took over as the honorary secretary of the Kent County Club, a position he held for 25 years. He later became the captain of the Kent Eleven for fifteen seasons, leading the team to four county championship victories.
In addition to his involvement with Kent, Lord Harris had a close association with the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), serving as its president in 1895 and then as a trustee. He also captained the England XI for the first-ever Test match in Australia in 1880 and led England in subsequent Test matches.
Beyond his playing career, Lord Harris made significant contributions to the game as an administrator. During his tenure as the governor of Bombay from 1890 to 1895, he worked towards expanding the game in India, laying the foundations for its growth in the country. He also fought for the rights of professional players and led a campaign against throwing, which had become a prevalent issue in cricket at the time.
Lord Harris’s commitment to upholding the laws of the game extended to his emphasis on players’ qualifications for representing counties. He was known to be autocratic and intolerant of dissenting views, which led to clashes with many individuals. Nevertheless, his influence cannot be denied, as he played a pivotal role in shaping the future of cricket.
Outside of cricket, Lord Harris was also involved in politics, serving as under-secretary of state for India and later for War. His contributions to the sport and his involvement in politics earned him a prominent place in cricket history.
Lord Harris’s skills as a batsman were highly esteemed by his contemporaries. He possessed an excellent technique, powerful strokes, and an impressive ability to play fast bowling on challenging wickets. His highest innings for Kent was 176 against Sussex in 1882, and he scored a total of 7,806 runs for the county. Lord Harris was also regarded as a skilled captain and made tactical decisions that led to victories.
Lord Harris’s commitment to fair play and the improvement of the sport led to the establishment of the County Cricket Council in 1887, an organization that laid the groundwork for the Advisory County Cricket Committee of the MCC formed in 1904.
Lord Harris’s love for cricket extended beyond the field. He authored several books, including “A History of Kent County Cricket,” “A Few Short Runs,” and “Lord’s and the MCC.” He also served as the president of the Cricketers’ Fund Friendly Society.
George Robert Canning Harris, commonly known as Lord Harris, left an indelible mark on the world of cricket. His exceptional skills as a player, his contributions as an administrator, and his commitment to fair play have solidified his position as one of the most influential figures in the sport’s history.
