Len Harris (cricketer)
Encyclopedia
Leonard Alphonso Harris (3 September 1934 – 16 March 2006) was a West Indian cricket
er who played for the Leeward Islands
between 1958 and 1971. An opening batsman for much of his career, and occasional bowler in his final seasons, Harris played in West Indian first class cricket, as well as facing the MCC team
, England and Australia during his career. He played 27 matches, scoring nearly 1,400 runs at 29.04, including a century, and taking 15 wickets at 19.46. He then went on to play lower-level cricket for St. Kitts until 1976, and helped create the first cricket academy in the Leeward Islands.
, in Kingston
, Jamaica
. Opening the batting, he made 69 and 14, but did not bowl as Jamaica took an innings victory. Harris did not play again that season, however his efforts in this once match were enough for him to reach fourth place in the first-class averages, behind Gary Sobers. Harris did not get a second chance in first-class cricket until 25 February 1960, when he was selected to play against the touring MCC side at the Antigua Recreation Ground
. In this match, he batted at three, scoring 16 and 89*. His bowling, two overs for 15 runs, was however expensive, and centuries from MCC players Colin Cowdrey
, Raman Subba Row
and Ted Dexter
put paid to any hope of a result as the match ended in a draw.
Harris waited over another year before playing in a combined Leeward and Windward Islands
team against British Guiana
on 6 October 1961, in Georgetown
. Harris continued his success at the top of the order, scoring 54 in the fist innings. He took a catch to dismiss Clyde Walcott
, however he did not bowl once again, and made only one in the third innings as his team collapsed to 84 all out and an innings defeat. Sporadic appearances continued, Harris' next appearance coming on 21 April 1962, against a touring Indian team – once again for the combined Leeward and Windward Islands team. Harris played weakly in both innings, falling for six and 12 as India took victory by 137 runs.
It was then three more years before Harris played in a first-class match. On 12 March 1965, the touring Australian side faced the Leeward Islands in Basseterre
. Batting at three, Harris made only nine as Australia reduced the home side to 178 all our, and then hit 417 runs. Leeward Islands were routed for 208 in the second innings, however Harris enjoyed success, scoring the second highest total of his team's innings, 44. He then faced the Windward Islands later that year on 25 November at Roseau
, where he scored 62. The following year, on 27 January, he scored 41 and 52 against Jamaica, and on 9 February was dismissed for one but took two catches in a rain-interrupted match against Barbados. Matches against British Guiana and Trinidad and Tobago
followed through 1966, yielding scores of 61, 13, zero and 39 from the top order. 1965/66 was Harris' most eventful season thus far in his career, and he ended it with 276 runs from five matches at 34.50.
1967 saw three more matches for Leeward Islands against Barbados, Jamaica and the Windward Islands. In the first match, on 9 February, Harris faced Barbados in Warner Park
, Basseterre
, and scored 18 and 10. He also bowled two deliveries before Barbados declared for 406. Against Jamaica he scored 91 – then a career best – and 15, and against Windward Islands on 27 March at Sturge Park, in the now abandoned Plymouth, Montserrat
, where he scored 33. He then faced the MCC for a second time on 15 February 1968, also in Plymouth. He hit 48 and 18 in a match largely dominated by a knock of 165 from Geoffrey Boycott
. With his efforts in the 1968 season, he broke the Leeward Islands' batting record. On 17 January 1969, he scored zero and 30 against Barbados, and on 12 February scored 17 and 12, and took once wicket for 14 runs against Guyana.
Harris then played four successive matches in early 1970, the first against Windward Islands on 16 January at Warner Park. This was followed by matches against Barbados on 13 February; Trinidad and Tobago on 6 March; and Jamaica on 14 March. The season overall netted Harris 207 runs at 20.70, with one half-century of 72, from the five matches.
1971, his final year in first-class cricket, began with a match against the Windward Islands on 14 January at Warner Park. Harris, batting at five, scored his maiden – and only – century. His knock of 105 took Leeward to 315 all out, having bowled Windward Islands over for 122. Three catches by Harris off the bowling of Jeffers Warrington helped restrict Windward Islands to 153 all out in their second innings, giving Leeward Islands victory by an innings and 40 runs. Harris could not carry this form over, however. Scores of six and four saw Barbados home by nine wickets on 22 January, and 35, 23 and the wicket of West Indian international Bryan Davis
could not prevent an innings defeat to Trinidad and Tobago on 27 January. This season was, however, his most successful with the ball taking career best figures of 12 wickets at 15.41.`This included a productive spell of four wickets at the cost of three runs.
3 February 1971, saw Harris face Guyana in Roseau. He scored 12 and 60, and took two catches, seeing his team to victory by 50 runs and 12 points in the Shell Shield. India toured the West Indies in 1971, and faced Leeward Islands on 25 February, with Harris scoring 18 and 24 as the home team fell to a heavy nine wicket defeat at Warner Park. Harris' final match against Jamaica, on 27 March, saw his side defeated by an innings and 82 at the hands of Jamaica. Harris himself took 1/25 from eight overs during Jamaica's first innings, and scored 18 and zero. His final season held six matches – the most of his career – and saw him hit 305 runs – again a personal best – at 30.50.
Harris continued to be involved in cricket outside of the first-class arena by playing for St. Kitts – who he had joined in 1970 – until the end of the 1976 cricket season. He had played two matches for St. Kitts in 1970, scoring 24 against Montserrat
at Warner Park on 10 July, and five and 54 against Nevis
in the semi-final and final of the Hesketh Bell Shield. Harris played two further matches against the same sides in 1971, including a 103-knock against Monsterrat on 27 June, and scores of 11 and 29 against Nevis in July. Two matches of the same competition in 1974 saw scores of 28, 82, and two. He faced Monsterrat again in 1976, scoring 46 and 10 on 19 June, and then scored three against Nevis in his final match, on 2 July 1976.
Following his career as a player, Harris worked in conjunction with Carib Brewery to create the Carib Brewery-Len Harris Cricket Academy, named in his honour, at Warner Park. It was the first Academy of its kind in the Leeward Islands. In 2003, Keith Arthurton
, former West Indies Test and ODI player, took over the positions of coach and manager there from Ingleton Liburd
, who went on to be the Leeward Islands' Cricket Development Officer for the West Indies Cricket Board. The Chairman, Charles Wilkin, said of the Academy: "The Academy has been generally successful, producing over half of the current St Kitts team, we have players who made it into West Indies Under-19 team, and into the Leewards team. We have a crop of promising young cricketers, and more to come."
. In 1998, Viv Richards
referred to Harris one of "the greats of the Leeward Islands" in his A Spirit of Dominance. West Indian journalist Timothy Alfred referred to Harris as a batsman "of tremendous talent" who "unfortunately was not able to secure a place on the then power pack West Indies team." The Academy continues to play club cricket in St. Kitts against Newton, Cayon, Sandy Point, St. Paul's and the local police force team.
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
er who played for the Leeward Islands
Leeward Islands cricket team
The Leeward Islands cricket team is a first class cricket team representing the member countries of the Leeward Islands Cricket Association, a regional association which again is part of the West Indies Cricket Board. Contrary to the normal English definition of the Leeward Islands, Dominica is not...
between 1958 and 1971. An opening batsman for much of his career, and occasional bowler in his final seasons, Harris played in West Indian first class cricket, as well as facing the MCC team
Marylebone Cricket Club
Marylebone Cricket Club is a cricket club in London founded in 1787. Its influence and longevity now witness it as a private members' club dedicated to the development of cricket. It owns, and is based at, Lord's Cricket Ground in St John's Wood, London NW8. MCC was formerly the governing body of...
, England and Australia during his career. He played 27 matches, scoring nearly 1,400 runs at 29.04, including a century, and taking 15 wickets at 19.46. He then went on to play lower-level cricket for St. Kitts until 1976, and helped create the first cricket academy in the Leeward Islands.
Leeward Islands
Harris played his first match for Leeward Islands on 5 July 1958, against Jamaica at Melbourne ParkMelbourne Park
Melbourne Park is a sports venue in the Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Precinct in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Since 1988, Melbourne Park has been home of the Australian Open in tennis, which is played annually in January...
, in Kingston
Kingston, Jamaica
Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island. It faces a natural harbour protected by the Palisadoes, a long sand spit which connects the town of Port Royal and the Norman Manley International Airport to the rest of the island...
, Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
. Opening the batting, he made 69 and 14, but did not bowl as Jamaica took an innings victory. Harris did not play again that season, however his efforts in this once match were enough for him to reach fourth place in the first-class averages, behind Gary Sobers. Harris did not get a second chance in first-class cricket until 25 February 1960, when he was selected to play against the touring MCC side at the Antigua Recreation Ground
Antigua Recreation Ground
Antigua Recreation Ground is the national stadium of Antigua and Barbuda. It is located in St. John's, on the island of Antigua. The ground has been used by the West Indies cricket team and Antigua and Barbuda national football team...
. In this match, he batted at three, scoring 16 and 89*. His bowling, two overs for 15 runs, was however expensive, and centuries from MCC players Colin Cowdrey
Colin Cowdrey
Michael Colin Cowdrey, Baron Cowdrey of Tonbridge, CBE , better known as Colin Cowdrey, was the Captain of Oxford University, Kent County Cricket Club and the England cricket team in a career that lasted from 1950 to 1976...
, Raman Subba Row
Raman Subba Row
Raman Subba Row is an English former cricketer who played for England, Cambridge University, Surrey and Northamptonshire.-Life and career:...
and Ted Dexter
Ted Dexter
Edward Ralph Dexter CBE is a former English cricketer...
put paid to any hope of a result as the match ended in a draw.
Harris waited over another year before playing in a combined Leeward and Windward Islands
Windward Islands
The Windward Islands are the southern islands of the Lesser Antilles, within the West Indies.-Name and geography:The Windward Islands are called such because they were more windward to sailing ships arriving in the New World than the Leeward Islands, given that the prevailing trade winds in the...
team against British Guiana
British Guiana
British Guiana was the name of the British colony on the northern coast of South America, now the independent nation of Guyana.The area was originally settled by the Dutch at the start of the 17th century as the colonies of Essequibo, Demerara, and Berbice...
on 6 October 1961, in Georgetown
Georgetown, Guyana
Georgetown, estimated population 239,227 , is the capital and largest city of Guyana, located in the Demerara-Mahaica region. It is situated on the Atlantic Ocean coast at the mouth of the Demerara River and it was nicknamed 'Garden City of the Caribbean.' Georgetown is located at . The city serves...
. Harris continued his success at the top of the order, scoring 54 in the fist innings. He took a catch to dismiss Clyde Walcott
Clyde Walcott
Sir Clyde Leopold Walcott, KA, GCM was a West Indian cricketer. Walcott was a member of the "three W's", the other two being Everton Weekes and Frank Worrell: all were very successful batsmen from Barbados, born within a short distance of each other in Bridgetown, Barbados in a period of 18...
, however he did not bowl once again, and made only one in the third innings as his team collapsed to 84 all out and an innings defeat. Sporadic appearances continued, Harris' next appearance coming on 21 April 1962, against a touring Indian team – once again for the combined Leeward and Windward Islands team. Harris played weakly in both innings, falling for six and 12 as India took victory by 137 runs.
It was then three more years before Harris played in a first-class match. On 12 March 1965, the touring Australian side faced the Leeward Islands in Basseterre
Basseterre
Basseterre , estimated population 15,500 in 2000, is the capital of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis in the West Indies. Geographically, the Basseterre port is located at , on the south western coast of Saint Kitts Island, and it is one of the chief commercial depots of the Leeward Islands...
. Batting at three, Harris made only nine as Australia reduced the home side to 178 all our, and then hit 417 runs. Leeward Islands were routed for 208 in the second innings, however Harris enjoyed success, scoring the second highest total of his team's innings, 44. He then faced the Windward Islands later that year on 25 November at Roseau
Roseau
-Architecture:The central district of Roseau is tightly packed with small and large houses and even larger modern concrete structures. There is little green or open space situated within the city, and this is even more so today, as many of the courtyards which was once commonplace within the city...
, where he scored 62. The following year, on 27 January, he scored 41 and 52 against Jamaica, and on 9 February was dismissed for one but took two catches in a rain-interrupted match against Barbados. Matches against British Guiana and Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago cricket team
The Trinidad and Tobago cricket team is the representative cricket team of the country of Trinidad and Tobago.The team takes part in inter-regional cricket competitions in the Caribbean, such as the Regional Four Day Competition and the WICB Cup, with the best players selected for the West Indies...
followed through 1966, yielding scores of 61, 13, zero and 39 from the top order. 1965/66 was Harris' most eventful season thus far in his career, and he ended it with 276 runs from five matches at 34.50.
1967 saw three more matches for Leeward Islands against Barbados, Jamaica and the Windward Islands. In the first match, on 9 February, Harris faced Barbados in Warner Park
Warner Park Sporting Complex
Warner Park Sporting Complex is an athletic facility in Basseterre, St. Kitts, St. Kitts and Nevis. It includes the Warner Park Stadium, which was one of the hosts for the 2007 Cricket World Cup....
, Basseterre
Basseterre
Basseterre , estimated population 15,500 in 2000, is the capital of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis in the West Indies. Geographically, the Basseterre port is located at , on the south western coast of Saint Kitts Island, and it is one of the chief commercial depots of the Leeward Islands...
, and scored 18 and 10. He also bowled two deliveries before Barbados declared for 406. Against Jamaica he scored 91 – then a career best – and 15, and against Windward Islands on 27 March at Sturge Park, in the now abandoned Plymouth, Montserrat
Plymouth, Montserrat
Plymouth is the de jure capital of the island of Montserrat, an overseas territory of the United Kingdom located in the Leeward Island chain of the Lesser Antilles, West Indies. The town was overwhelmed by volcanic eruptions starting in the 1990s and was abandoned...
, where he scored 33. He then faced the MCC for a second time on 15 February 1968, also in Plymouth. He hit 48 and 18 in a match largely dominated by a knock of 165 from Geoffrey Boycott
Geoffrey Boycott
Geoffrey Boycott OBE is a former Yorkshire and England cricketer. In a prolific and sometimes controversial playing career from 1962 to 1986, Boycott established himself as one of England's most successful opening batsmen...
. With his efforts in the 1968 season, he broke the Leeward Islands' batting record. On 17 January 1969, he scored zero and 30 against Barbados, and on 12 February scored 17 and 12, and took once wicket for 14 runs against Guyana.
Harris then played four successive matches in early 1970, the first against Windward Islands on 16 January at Warner Park. This was followed by matches against Barbados on 13 February; Trinidad and Tobago on 6 March; and Jamaica on 14 March. The season overall netted Harris 207 runs at 20.70, with one half-century of 72, from the five matches.
1971, his final year in first-class cricket, began with a match against the Windward Islands on 14 January at Warner Park. Harris, batting at five, scored his maiden – and only – century. His knock of 105 took Leeward to 315 all out, having bowled Windward Islands over for 122. Three catches by Harris off the bowling of Jeffers Warrington helped restrict Windward Islands to 153 all out in their second innings, giving Leeward Islands victory by an innings and 40 runs. Harris could not carry this form over, however. Scores of six and four saw Barbados home by nine wickets on 22 January, and 35, 23 and the wicket of West Indian international Bryan Davis
Bryan Davis
Bryan Allan Davis is a former West Indian cricketer who played in four Tests in 1965. He later qualified for Glamorgan playing in the championship winning side in 1969....
could not prevent an innings defeat to Trinidad and Tobago on 27 January. This season was, however, his most successful with the ball taking career best figures of 12 wickets at 15.41.`This included a productive spell of four wickets at the cost of three runs.
3 February 1971, saw Harris face Guyana in Roseau. He scored 12 and 60, and took two catches, seeing his team to victory by 50 runs and 12 points in the Shell Shield. India toured the West Indies in 1971, and faced Leeward Islands on 25 February, with Harris scoring 18 and 24 as the home team fell to a heavy nine wicket defeat at Warner Park. Harris' final match against Jamaica, on 27 March, saw his side defeated by an innings and 82 at the hands of Jamaica. Harris himself took 1/25 from eight overs during Jamaica's first innings, and scored 18 and zero. His final season held six matches – the most of his career – and saw him hit 305 runs – again a personal best – at 30.50.
St. Kitts
Montserrat
Montserrat is a British overseas territory located in the Leeward Islands, part of the chain of islands called the Lesser Antilles in the West Indies. This island measures approximately long and wide, giving of coastline...
at Warner Park on 10 July, and five and 54 against Nevis
Nevis
Nevis is an island in the Caribbean Sea, located near the northern end of the Lesser Antilles archipelago, about 350 km east-southeast of Puerto Rico and 80 km west of Antigua. The 93 km² island is part of the inner arc of the Leeward Islands chain of the West Indies...
in the semi-final and final of the Hesketh Bell Shield. Harris played two further matches against the same sides in 1971, including a 103-knock against Monsterrat on 27 June, and scores of 11 and 29 against Nevis in July. Two matches of the same competition in 1974 saw scores of 28, 82, and two. He faced Monsterrat again in 1976, scoring 46 and 10 on 19 June, and then scored three against Nevis in his final match, on 2 July 1976.
Following his career as a player, Harris worked in conjunction with Carib Brewery to create the Carib Brewery-Len Harris Cricket Academy, named in his honour, at Warner Park. It was the first Academy of its kind in the Leeward Islands. In 2003, Keith Arthurton
Keith Arthurton
Keith Lloyd Thomas Arthurton is a former West Indian cricketer. Having become only the third player to hail from Nevis, the left-arm unorthodox bowler played in 33 Tests between July 1988 and August 1995 and continued playing in one day matches until May 1999. However, he never recovered from the...
, former West Indies Test and ODI player, took over the positions of coach and manager there from Ingleton Liburd
Ingleton Liburd
Ingleton Liburd was a Canadian cricket player. He made his début for Canada in a match against Barbados in 1987. He represented Canada at three ICC Trophy tournaments and in 13 List A matches, including the cricket tournament at the 1998 Commonwealth Games.*He is currently the coach of the...
, who went on to be the Leeward Islands' Cricket Development Officer for the West Indies Cricket Board. The Chairman, Charles Wilkin, said of the Academy: "The Academy has been generally successful, producing over half of the current St Kitts team, we have players who made it into West Indies Under-19 team, and into the Leewards team. We have a crop of promising young cricketers, and more to come."
Playing style
Harris was a successful opening batsman for Leeward Islands during his career. Preferring the on-side, but also successful with the off drive, Harris averaged 73 in opening partnerships with Oscar WilliamsOscar Williams
Oscar Williams was an American anthologist and poet. Oscar Williams was his pen name.-Life:He was born Oscar Kaplan in Letychiv, Ukraine, son of Jewish parents Mouzya Kaplan and Chana Rapoport...
. In 1998, Viv Richards
Viv Richards
Sir Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards, KNH, OBE is a former West Indian cricketer. Better known by his second name, Vivian or, more popularly, simply as Viv or King Viv Richards was voted one of the five Cricketers of the Century in 2000, by a 100-member panel of experts, along with Sir Donald...
referred to Harris one of "the greats of the Leeward Islands" in his A Spirit of Dominance. West Indian journalist Timothy Alfred referred to Harris as a batsman "of tremendous talent" who "unfortunately was not able to secure a place on the then power pack West Indies team." The Academy continues to play club cricket in St. Kitts against Newton, Cayon, Sandy Point, St. Paul's and the local police force team.
External links
- Player Profile: Len Harris from Cricket Archive