CHALLOW & Childrey cricketer Joe Harris is coming to terms with the news that his season is over, following his serious injury in Sunday’s Oxfordshire final of the Persim-mon Village Cup.

The 19-year-old left-arm spinner dislocated his left knee trying to prevent a boundary in Challow’s six-wicket defeat at Shipton-under-Wychwood.

He was treated on the ground by paramedics and taken to Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hosp-ital.

Now recovering at home, Harris, who has been a part of Oxfordshire’s youth set-up since the age of ten, said: “At the very least it would be six or seven weeks before I can even think about playing cricket again, so that’s the season nearly over anyway.

“I had the same injury in a friendly last season, so I knew straight away that I’d done some serious damage.

“Jason (Hunt) pulled the ball hard and I was at backward square and put the full-length dive in.

“I landed on the knee and it popped out. It was absolute agony.

“Although I was let out of hospital that evening, the doctors say I need to have a scan at some stage to see if I will need surgery or just physio.

“Fingers crossed, I won’t need an operation, but if that’s what’s needed, then so be it.”

Harris is studying sports coaching at Oxford Brookes University, and hopes to help coach Challow’s youngsters for the rest of the season.

“Cricket is my passion,” he said. “I stopped playing football to focus on cricket.”

He paid tribute to officials at Shipton, who did all they could to help when he suffered the injury.

“I have to say thanks to all the Shipton lads. They were really good with me and made me as comfortable as possible. And Les Burry sat with me while we were waiting for the ambulance.

“I’m determined to come back stronger from this.”