'It's a good thing to be under pressure': Harris
Chris Harris talks about his and the team's journey through the years
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Chris Harris: not done with cricket just yet © Wisden Cricinfo |
Australia have just clinched a narrow victory over New Zealand in the TVS cup match in Pune. I ask Chris Harris if he has had a good day. "Not really," comes the obvious answer, "but we are surprised by the wickets we have encountered during this tri-series as we expected flat wicket, and the early morning swing has left us shocked." Dressed in a grey full-neck woollen T-shirt and black trousers, Harris is being troubled by the air-conditioner, and is continually sneezing. In the foyer, on the second floor of the Taj Blue Diamond, where we sit, there's a minor power shutdown and the lights go off for a second. The lights are dimming on Harris too, and, he knows that. But he has a few more things to do before he retires.
In an exclusive with Wisden Cricinfo, Harris talks about his and the team's journey through the years.
At 33, you are one of the best inner-circle fielders for New Zealand. How do you maintain your fitness?
That's very kind. The key is to enjoy the game, and I have always enjoyed my fielding and worked hard on it. But, yes, as I am getting older I am tired, but the love for the game gives me enough energy to play well.
That's very kind. The key is to enjoy the game, and I have always enjoyed my fielding and worked hard on it. But, yes, as I am getting older I am tired, but the love for the game gives me enough energy to play well.
Do you consider yourself a bits-and-pieces-player or a specialist allrounder or a top-order batsman?
In one-day cricket I am an allrounder as I bowl too and have batted from No. 1 to No. 8. I don't like being called a bits-and-pieces player. I have always considered myself as a batsman who bowls, but in ODIs I have become more of a genuine allrounder, someone who bats between Nos. 6 and 8. If you are batting in those positions, you've got to bowl; and it is important that both forms of the game go well for you.
In one-day cricket I am an allrounder as I bowl too and have batted from No. 1 to No. 8. I don't like being called a bits-and-pieces player. I have always considered myself as a batsman who bowls, but in ODIs I have become more of a genuine allrounder, someone who bats between Nos. 6 and 8. If you are batting in those positions, you've got to bowl; and it is important that both forms of the game go well for you.
Would you agree that you reached your peak form in the 1997 and 1998 seasons?
Yes, that was the purple patch of my career with the bat where I was not dismissed for 19 consecutive innings (eight of them in ODIs), and New Zealand won a few games. I bowled some good spells and picked up wickets too. I was performing well, and my place in the side was secure. It is typical for an allrounder: if one facet of your game is going well, it tends to improve the other aspect too, and both of them work well.
Yes, that was the purple patch of my career with the bat where I was not dismissed for 19 consecutive innings (eight of them in ODIs), and New Zealand won a few games. I bowled some good spells and picked up wickets too. I was performing well, and my place in the side was secure. It is typical for an allrounder: if one facet of your game is going well, it tends to improve the other aspect too, and both of them work well.
The last couple of seasons, especially 2003, have been disappointing.
Yes, I am a bit bothered at not having got as many runs as I would have liked, and would like to rectify that soon. I am not sure why things are not clicking, but I think that just as there are purple patches, there are periods when things don't go to plan, and I am keen to perform well quickly.
Yes, I am a bit bothered at not having got as many runs as I would have liked, and would like to rectify that soon. I am not sure why things are not clicking, but I think that just as there are purple patches, there are periods when things don't go to plan, and I am keen to perform well quickly.
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Fancying himself as a batsman © Wisden Cricinfo |
Do you think moving up the order would help your batting?
I am not sure. I think in 1997 and 1998 we had a lean period where I was coming in to bat early and getting enough time to get myself settled. The bad thing about batting in the middle-to-lower order is, quite often you come in to bat with only two or three overs remaining, and there's not a lot you can achieve. The benefit of it is that sometimes you come in when the top order has not done well and you get plenty of time. That's when you have to make up for all the lost opportunities. That's what I did in 1997 and 1998, which I haven't been able to do in recent times.
I am not sure. I think in 1997 and 1998 we had a lean period where I was coming in to bat early and getting enough time to get myself settled. The bad thing about batting in the middle-to-lower order is, quite often you come in to bat with only two or three overs remaining, and there's not a lot you can achieve. The benefit of it is that sometimes you come in when the top order has not done well and you get plenty of time. That's when you have to make up for all the lost opportunities. That's what I did in 1997 and 1998, which I haven't been able to do in recent times.
What about your place in the Test side - do you think you've lost it?
I don't know ... I mean I have had enough opportunites to prove myself, but I have not been able to deliver as I have done in the shorter version of the game.
I don't know ... I mean I have had enough opportunites to prove myself, but I have not been able to deliver as I have done in the shorter version of the game.
Is there pressure, and did it ever get too much for you?
I am definitely under pressure, and I need to perform sooner rather than later. In some ways it's a good thing to be under pressure as it makes you work harder to get things right.
I am definitely under pressure, and I need to perform sooner rather than later. In some ways it's a good thing to be under pressure as it makes you work harder to get things right.
I know my place is on the line as I am experiencing a slide, and with younger players coming in the side the pressure mounts. But I never thought about chucking it away. As a cricketer, what you need to be careful about is to get out when you are on top; you don't want to be in a situation where people think you are going on too long. I am 33, and I still think I have a few years to offer. The key is to not play on too long, but to play as long as you are enjoying, and performing.
You have played under various captains. Can you, in particular, talk about Martin Crowe and Stephen Fleming?
Both are great captains and great players. In some ways they are quite similar too: they talk a lot, talk about the team, talk about different theories and things that can improve the side. They are aggressive, always thinking about how to beat the challenge of the opposition. They are inspirational, and lead by example. Stephen is a lot younger, but he has learnt very quickly and is one of the best captains in the world today, as was Martin Crowe in his era.
Both are great captains and great players. In some ways they are quite similar too: they talk a lot, talk about the team, talk about different theories and things that can improve the side. They are aggressive, always thinking about how to beat the challenge of the opposition. They are inspirational, and lead by example. Stephen is a lot younger, but he has learnt very quickly and is one of the best captains in the world today, as was Martin Crowe in his era.
Senior players like yourself, Chris Cairns, and even Fleming have been the nucleus of the side, but are in the final phase of their careers. Is there enough talent waiting in the wings?
Part of our responsibility is to blood young talent and make them of international class. We are a country of only four million people, and only a small number play cricket, but the talent is surely there.
Part of our responsibility is to blood young talent and make them of international class. We are a country of only four million people, and only a small number play cricket, but the talent is surely there.
Why have coaches been changed so frequently in New Zealand cricket?
Yes, some of our coaches have had shorter stints, but the best sides in the world have had different coaches, and some of our coaches had reasonable opportunities with durations of about three to four years. And most coaches will tell you that you can only spend so much time with one side, and you can only offer so much - you can offer all your expertise and all your experience from a coaching point of view, and then there's a period when you don't have anything else to offer. I mean you can't coach a side for 15 years if you have nothing more to offer. Obviously you don't want a change of coaches too frequently. But a new face has a fresh perspective to offer, and is keen to do a good job.
Yes, some of our coaches have had shorter stints, but the best sides in the world have had different coaches, and some of our coaches had reasonable opportunities with durations of about three to four years. And most coaches will tell you that you can only spend so much time with one side, and you can only offer so much - you can offer all your expertise and all your experience from a coaching point of view, and then there's a period when you don't have anything else to offer. I mean you can't coach a side for 15 years if you have nothing more to offer. Obviously you don't want a change of coaches too frequently. But a new face has a fresh perspective to offer, and is keen to do a good job.
How is the present New Zealand side different from the teams of the early and mid 90s?
The team back then was going through a re-building phase. We didn't have the depth then as we possess now: we have got healthy competition for places in the side, and not too many people feel too safe because younger players are coming through and doing a good job. So that makes for a healthy environment.
The team back then was going through a re-building phase. We didn't have the depth then as we possess now: we have got healthy competition for places in the side, and not too many people feel too safe because younger players are coming through and doing a good job. So that makes for a healthy environment.
Finally, have you thought about retirement?
I'd love to play another World Cup, but as you get older you need to reassess every year. There have been cases like Alec Stewart, who went out on top at 40, and then there's Steve Waugh, who is still playing international cricket. From the experience point of view I am sort of getting to my peak, and it's only a question of working hard and performing.
I'd love to play another World Cup, but as you get older you need to reassess every year. There have been cases like Alec Stewart, who went out on top at 40, and then there's Steve Waugh, who is still playing international cricket. From the experience point of view I am sort of getting to my peak, and it's only a question of working hard and performing.
Nagraj Gollapudi is sub editor of Wisden Cricinfo.