Leigh Cricket Club,  Kent                                     

Which one is he? He's the silver-haired sometimes wicket-keeper, sometimes slow-left arm bowler - the one with the funny northern accent.

Age: Actually only 43 (as of 2000)

He's not from these parts is he? You're right. He hails originally from Blackburn in Lancashire and supports Blackburn Rovers. But he is now an adopted son of Leigh.

Where has he played his cricket before? Well he's been around a bit - previous clubs are almost too numerous to mention. When he was young he played for East Lancashire CC then Loughborough University. On coming to London to work for NatWest Bank, he played in the bank's 3rd Saturday XI where he first met the author. He has also played international cricket (well, played abroad) for Hong Kong CC, St Moritz (Switzerland) and Royal Brussels.

What, that touring side who play here once a year? The very same.

So how does he describe himself? With usual modesty, he says he is a "cosmopolitan international superstar".

Really! How long has he been playing for Leigh? Seems like a long time doesn't it, but in fact he has been here for about 6 or 7 years, excluding 2 years away when he went to Hong Kong working.

How does he bat? Aggressively as you would expect from a man in hurry.

What is his top score for Leigh? Well, up until September 2000, it was 63 but he then scored 94 not out in League game at Flimwell.  He once scored 101 for another side.

What are his other strengths? What do you mean "other"?!  Finding himself unable to get a regular bowl these days, he has successfully converted to keeping wicket, a function to which he adds a new dimension.

What's that? He is the only person in the club who can catch left-handed. That means he saves a ton of runs from Leigh's wayward leg-side bowling.

Does he still bowl? When given a chance - he likes to bowl on the drier pitches of August when the balls turns and the suns hangs low over the school, blinding the batsman so they do not notice that a ball, which should turn a foot, has just gone straight on.

So best bowling? For Leigh 4 for 28 but he recalls a dim and distant "five for" some while back.

What else has he done for the club? Well, he is a bit of a Mr Fix-it - he is pretty good at persuading people to give us money and sponsorship. He helps with Kwik Cricket on Sunday mornings. He is a member of the Club Committee. Oh yes and he wrote a book - title escapes me - something about the history of Leigh CC.

Oh, a lengthy tome then? Actually, a splendid piece of work. It has been reviewed but such august cricketing institutions as Wisden and the ECB's own magazine as well as by idontlikecricket.co.uk, a new specialist cricket web site.

That's not a plug is it? However could you suggest such a thing!

Not to be confused with? Vic Clark, Elizabeth Shaw, Nigel Short.

Written by

I R ("Ch") Harris