 Harris recorded match figures of 12 for 118 against Gloucestershire in 2007 |
Glamorgan seamer James Harris is planning to emulate England new boys Stephen Finn and Chris Woakes. The 20-year-old graduated through the ranks with Finn and Woakes but has played just twice for England Lions. Harris goes on the Lions tour of the West Indies on Monday hoping to enhance his growing reputation as a seamer. "[Steve and Chris] have stepped up and played some cricket for [England] and that is the pathway through, so I'm on the right track," said Harris. "You see a lot of the guys they are picking now have been through all this and gone on Lions tours [like Steve and Chris]. "It's a great chance to play some cricket before the start of the summer, to be hopefully in good form before I get back, and just to get back in the shop window." And Harris, who took 63 first-class wickets for Glamorgan in 2010 and became the youngest player at the club to take 100 first-class wickets, believes he is on the right course to play Test cricket for England. But he admits he still has a lot of development to do after making his first-class debut as a 17-year-old in the 2007 season.  | It's the batting that can improve the most. I haven't batted well for a couple of years now Glamorgan bowler James Harris |
"It's a massive honour," Harris told BBC Sport. "This is a proper Lions tour and to go on that at the age of 20 is a satisfying thing, but I have still got a long way to go. "I'd like to [get that first senior cap]. I don't want to rush things too quickly. I suppose you can play too soon and I'm perfectly happy in saying I'm not the anywhere near the finished article yet. "But I'm very confident I will be. It will take some time and a couple of years and a bit more work, but I'm very confident I can get there." The fact that Harris is going on tour with England Lions rather than just playing the odd game, which he has done in the past, can only be of benefit to him. "I played against Australia in 2009 and then played a game last year against Bangladesh," said Harris. "But to go on tour is a completely different kettle of fish. "So I'm really looking forward to it, working with the coaches and my main aim is to perform well but to come back a better player." That includes working on his batting and becoming an out-and-out all rounder. "It's the batting that can improve the most," added Harris. "I haven't batted well for a couple of years now. I see myself as an all rounder and there is no reason why I can't in the future bat seven or eight and score 100s." "I've been on a strength and conditioning camp before Christmas so I'm pretty strong and fit.  | You get some green seamers over here in April and May, but getting wickets on flat pitches that will be the big benefit Jame Harris on his West Indies tour |
"It's going to be a hard tour. It's going to be a lot of hard work and there are going to be some very flat pitches which is the area where I can improve most. "You get some green seamers over here in April and May, but getting wickets on flat pitches that will be the big benefit." While Harris has been preparing for Glamorgan have been in turmoil with the resignation of director of cricket Matthew Maynard, former skipper Jamie Dalrymple and president Peter Walker, followed by Tom Maynard joining Surrey. And Harris, who signed a three-year contract with Glamorgan in October 2010, says he hopes that some stability has been put back in to the club following the appointment of coach Matthew Mott. "I've been out of the loop a lot. I've been up in Loughborough on these training camps, but it's sad to see Tom [Maynard] has signed for Surrey. But I wish Tom all the best," he said. "But now the fact that we have got a coach and a captain in place so it seems to be settling down and moving forward which is a good thing. "Hopefully we will hit the ground running in April. We did perform very well in the four-day stuff last season. One-day cricket still needs a lot of work and everyone's admitted that and I think steps certainly been taken to improve that."
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