Middlesex’s bowling all-rounder James Harris is determined to take a step forward in his career following an impressive start to the season.
Harris burst onto the first-class stage when he became the first 17-year-old to take a seven-wicket haul in the LV= County Championship and in 2013 was called up as a replacement for England’s Twenty20 squad during a tour to New Zealand.
But his career has since stalled as he has struggled to recpature the form that made him so highly sought after when he left Glamorgan for Middlesex after the 2012 season.
Last season Harris claimed just 12 LV= County Championship wickets for Middlesex – and was at one stage loaned back to Glamorgan.
Already, after two Championship games this summer, he has more wickets.
His haul of eight at Taunton this week proved invaluable as Middlesex produced a stunning run chase to claim victory against Somerset and Harris admits it is that type of performance he must produce more often.
“When I signed I came as a fairly big signing I suppose. I should be a player who is scoring 500 runs plus and taking 50 wickets plus a season regularly,” he told the latest ECB podcast.
“That’s how I feel my game is and if I’m ever going to challenge for higher honours that’s what I need to do.
“I need to be consistent and that’s the kind of think we’re searching for. It’s nice that in the first two games this season I’ve been able to play a part and the last game at the end of last season when I managed to bat a while to help us stay up was encouraging.
“I need to be more consistent.”
Harris’ strong suit is certainly his bowling and while he was delighted to return a five-wicket haul in the first innings at Taunton he believes there is plenty of room for improvement yet.
“I didn’t have a great start to the day, but dragged it back,” he said.
“I just want to be consistent and bowl well every day whether that means I get a five-for or get none and do a job for the team and beat the bat all day then I’m happy with that as well.
“It’s coming. I’m taking some wickets which is nice, but I still feel I can bowl better and I’m looking forward to that.”