CRICKET: Harris wows Aussies with spell of 10-32

The Great & Little Tew captain, from Steeple Aston, achieved the feat playing for Tasmanian club Burnie Hurricanes.

Harris took 10-32 in 17.3 overs to help the Hurricanes to victory on first innings over Sheffield Mountaineers in their Cricket North West (CNW) First Grade match at West Park Oval, Burnie.

The 26-year-old seamer, pictured with the match ball after the game, said: “It was a surreal day that still hasn’t sunk in yet!

“There were four bowled and six caught, three at gully, one at slip, one by the keeper and one at point.

“I still didn’t think when I’d taken nine that I’d get all ten. I thought there was bound to be a run out or the bowler at the other end would pick it up!”

Harris has been in good form down under and even got to play with Test legend Ricky Ponting to help launch a new ‘Aussie 15s’ format of the sport.

But his maximum haul, which was the first in Hurricanes’ history, represented a major breakthrough.

“This is definitely the first time – my previous best was 6-51 for Tew in the Cherwell League against Buckingham in 2011,” said Harris.

“When the last Burnie man was out, I just stood in the middle of the wicket with my arms in the air in disbelief before being swamped by my teammates!

“I’ve been picking up one or two wickets each game.”

Harris’s dad, Steve, who is an umpire, followed his son’s spell via ball-by-ball online updates after waking by chance early on Saturday morning.

The seamer is one of four Tew players gaining experience down under and is doubling up as a coach with Cricket Tasmania.

Harry Smith is playing for fellow CNW club Ulverstone, Josh Garrett is with Old Carey in Melbourne, while Curtly Slatter is at Temuka CC in Canterbury, New Zealand.

Harris’s form comes in stark contrast to England’s dismal efforts in the Ashes.

He said: “I have been getting plenty of stick from teammates and from schoolchildren when I’m going into schools with my coaching work for Cricket Tasmania!”