Harris confirms he will leave Glamorgan

Richard Thomas

James Harris has confirmed he will leave Glamorgan at the end of the season to increase his chances of playing Test cricket for England, but has revealed he has yet to decide which first division county he will join.

He has been heavily tipped to sign for Nottinghamshire but the 22-year-old England Lions seamer denied he was definitely moving to Trent Bridge.

“That is nothing more than rumour currently and I am undecided,” he insisted. “The plan is to sign for another county and have everything done and dusted by the end of September. Notts have offered me a deal and a very good deal. It is a fantastic place and a fantastic ground and I know Mick Newell.

“We have had some good conversations but there are still talks to be had before my mind is made up. I have spoken to a number of first division clubs."

An emotional Harris, who made his Glamorgan debut when he was 16, becoming the youngest Welsh county player to be capped, said it would be a wrench to leave Wales.

But he has made the decision to leave a year before the end of his contract, and despite being offered a two-year extension, for cricketing reasons. It is believed most of the clubs in Division One are after his signature.

“The decision I have taken to leave is to improve myself as a cricketer and I think I need a different challenge,” he added. “I believe I have the chance to play international cricket and the decision has been made to give me the best chance to fulfil that dream.

“To improve myself as a player I need to be playing Division One cricket, especially when the selectors look at picking squads for the winter.

“It was never going to be a financial issue. My main ambition is to play for England and that is where this move has originated from. I wanted to push myself as a cricketer and a person and push my name up the international pecking order.

“The club has pushed me for an answer after we have been in discussions. Even if Glamorgan had given me more time I would have made the same decision.

“Glamorgan have been fantastic and I want to thank them for everything they have done for me. I hope this is not the end for me at Glamorgan and I hope I will come back one day.”


Date: 01/09/2012 10:52:00 by Richard Thomas
In: Today | Nottinghamshire | Glamorgan |