 Harris was left stranded agonisingly short of a century |
Glamorgan's teen sensation James Harris was delighted to show his batting skills this week to complement his record-breaking bowling exploits. The 17-year-old last month became the youngest player to take 10 or more wickets in a County Championship match.
Batting at nine on Wednesday, he struck an unbeaten 87 to become Glamorgan's youngest scorer of a half century.
"I' class myself as an all-rounder, although my bowling has taken precedence recently," said Harris.
"I still bat at number three when I play for Pontarddulais. I just like to keep interested in the game, it's better being out there than sat in the pavilion.
"It was disappointing that I couldn't get to the century, but there'll be plenty more opportunities for that.
"Robert Croft was a great help, he's got so much experience and helped to talk me through."
Glamorgan's dismissal for 429 against Nottinghamshire at St Helen's left Harris stranded 13 runs short of becoming the youngest centurion in the 117-year history of the County Championship, a mark set in 1920 by Kent's Godfrey Bryan.
Harris, who has just completed his AS levels, is set to become one of the hottest properties in cricket, and Glamorgan have moved quickly to upgrade his contract from a development deal.
 | James is just an impressive cricketer and I think he'll end up batting at six Glamorgan coach Adrian Shaw |
The agreement runs until the end of 2008, but talks for an extended contract are expected at the end of the season.
"James is just an impressive cricketer and I think he'll end up batting at six," said Glamorgan coach Adrian Shaw.
"I played against him when he was 12 in the South Wales Cricket Association and had no doubts then that he was going to play for Glamorgan.
"You don't like to label people too early, but James' attitude to the game is tip-top.
"Though his natural ability is high, what separates him from his peers is his attitude, his mental strength and his application towards the game.
"That's what makes you kick on in sport, add that to his ability and you've got a serious cricketer.
"He knows where he's capable of going and he's very single-minded that he's going to get there.
"But that never comes across in an arrogant way, even though he's producing the goods.
"To break batting and bowling records in the space of three weeks is some going, but it doesn't surprise me because he's capable of being the mainstay of Glamorgan for a long time."
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
