|
|
#1 (permalink) |
|
Englishman
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Doing the stance
Posts: 42,613
|
Endangered Rhino
A rather interesting article on Australia's unsung hero from David Hopps in The Guardian.
I didn't realise quite how shot his right knee was; apparently he really needs a cartilage transplant to prevent bone rubbing on bone, but at his age recognises the 12 to 18 month recovery period would be terminal for his career. Playing through the pain for the cause; more the sort of behaviour one expects from an Aussie quick rather than sporting coi carp tattoos or comedy hairpieces. Harris strikes one as a four-square, patently decent sort of chap. Painful he's doing it against us, but rather like Hussey, one of the least objectionable men to pull on the baggy green. Partiality aside, good to see a good chap get on.
__________________
- As featured in The Independent. "This is not the time for namby-pamby promising youngsters who might just do something; not the time for building for the future. Pragmatism rules and they don't come more pragmatic than Rogers." - Victor Marks makes the case for stiff-legged and stiff-armed 35 year old left-handers in Ashes squads |
|
|
|
|
#2 (permalink) |
|
International Vice-Captain
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: I'll show ye!!
Posts: 4,826
|
Not much to say except WAFG
__________________
Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity. Too many bones, not enough CASH!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZwgu8_b0Vw RIP Craig |
|
|
|
|
#3 (permalink) |
|
International Coach
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Rummaging through Iain O'Brien's dustbins.
Posts: 12,890
|
Yeah. Big fan of Harris myself. Best, most likeable player on either side quite frankly.
__________________
>>>>>>WHHOOOOOOOOOSHHHHHHH>>>>>> Fascist Dictator of the Heath Davis Appreciation Society Supporting Petone's Finest since the very start - Iain O'Brien Adam Wheater - Another batsman off the Essex production line Also Supporting the All Time #1 Batsman of All Time Ever - Jacques Kallis and the much maligned Peter Siddle. Vimes tells it how it is: |
|
|
|
|
#4 (permalink) |
|
Cricket Web Staff Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: The Castle
Posts: 35,137
|
Any talk in Pom about this side strain Anderson is supposed to have? Or is it pre-match bluff?
And Harris.. Gun.
__________________
WWCC - Loyaulte Mi Lie "People make me happy.. not places.. people" "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life." - Samuel Johnson "Oh my God, there's a castle! A castle!" |
|
|
|
|
#5 (permalink) |
|
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Posts: 21,171
|
Love him. I've mentioned some of this on the forum already but it bears repeating. Got my first taste of Rhino when I played against him when he was playing for Northern Jets. I was about 20 at the time and we're around the same age so he was young but not that young for a grade cricketer still establishing himself. Was no quicker than med-fast even at grade level. I'm good mates with the Northerns captain and I hung out with the Jets guys after the game. Harris slipped under the radar a lot, tended to be a slow burner. Couldn't hold a bat at all when he first played for Northerns but by the time of this match, was considered almost an all-rounder. Was a slug in the field for a long time too. Personally, he's initially an intense cat but good to have a brew with when he relaxes a bit. I didn't notice any of him getting down on himself that Ponting mentioned, though.
That speaks to a few things which typify the bloke and any potential champion, really; he's brutally honest about where his shortcomings are and what he needs to do to rectify them, is able to quickly integrate and make stick what he's learned and he's very ambitious. Obviously a bloke has raw talent if he's playing Tests but Harris isn't as gifted as others so he has to work hard. If you remember nothing else about the guy, remember that everything he has he's earned through massive amount of work. It's why I wasn't that surprised when I heard after a few years of bowling med-fast for SA (no kidding, Manou used to stand up to the stumps for him), he'd worked his arse off in the gym, put on 10Kg and 20Km/h+. Should have had more faith when I voiced concerns about him being picked in the OD side, citing that he doesn't move the ball around enough. Shouldn't have been a surprise that all of a sudden he bowls hooping out-swingers now. One thing I was surprised about was when SA turfed him citing injury concerns. They offered him 2 years and he wanted 3 so he left. Forget the fact his stock was clearly on the rise and how many injury-prone hacks SA has stuck with over the years because they sucked the right pen15, a bloke with his attitude is exactly what was needed in the SA dressing room. I know he was actually really keen to stay and lead the attack (possibly lead the side) after all the work he'd put in/repay the faith of the selectors so good on him for taking his business elsewhere but losing Harris was a massive loss for SA cricket, especially since at about that time Tait stopped playing FC matches and Gillespie retired. Word on the street was that he was considering even taking the two years but left mainly because he was upset about the generally bad treatment of other players by SACA at the time, could see the writing on the wall with Tait and Gillespie unavailable, etc. Bear in mind, he can bat too. Matter of time before he chips in with some handy 50's or even passes 100 at Test level. Just waiting for PEWS to claim him for his 'NSW are the best because....' lists because he was born near Goulburn.
__________________
Check out my bands! The Colourphonics http://www.youtube.com/user/TheColourphonics http://twitter.com/colourphonics Candice and The Arcade Villains http://triplejunearthed.com.au/Candi...ArcadeVillains Last edited by Top_Cat; 21-12-2010 at 04:11 PM. |
|
|
|
|
#6 (permalink) |
|
International Coach
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: brisbane
Posts: 12,101
|
You just know he drives a beat up Datsun 250B, drinks VB, lives in fibro house, and has a pooch named Barney.
__________________
- My much anticipated Australian cricket review is now available in Cricket Chat - Winner of the 2011 and 2012 Cricket Web NRL and AFL tipping competitions Last edited by howardj; 21-12-2010 at 05:01 PM. |
|
|
|
|
#7 (permalink) | |
|
Global Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: New South Wales
Posts: 37,710
|
Quote:
Do you know how long he was in NSW for? He never played junior rep cricket or grade cricket here did he? Hard to claim him if not tbh.
__________________
~ Cribbage
|
|
|
|
|
|
#8 (permalink) | |
|
International Coach
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Stranger leering through a pair of binoculars
Posts: 12,435
|
He then crushes the VB cans on his forehead before recycling them obviously
__________________
Mark Waugh Quote:
|
|
|
|
|
|
#9 (permalink) | |
|
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: All Glory To The Nev
Posts: 24,012
|
Quote:
|
|
|
|
|
|
#10 (permalink) | |
|
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Posts: 21,171
|
Quote:
Last edited by Top_Cat; 21-12-2010 at 05:36 PM. |
|
|
|
|
|
#15 (permalink) |
|
International Vice-Captain
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Barrow Island, WA
Posts: 4,063
|
Always felt the best thing about his move to the bulls was freeing him up to focus on bowling without the constant pressure or SA collapses and this factor necessitating that he be turned into an all rounder when bowling was his true strength. Forget the willow and stick to being a gun bowler.
|
|
|
| Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
| Thread Tools | |
| Display Modes | |
|
|