³ÉÈËÂÛ̳

Raise Your Game: James, why cricket?

James Harris: I started playing when I was about 10-years-old. Rugby was never for me; I was never a natural at it, and however much I tried to play football that wasn't for me either. So I found cricket at a fairly young age. Everything clicked when I started doing well and I started enjoying it so I just carried on from there.

RYG: What skills can you learn from this game?

JH: I think you have a lot of responsibility individually, and it takes a lot of teamwork to perform and play well as a team.

RYG: What about the psychological side of the game?

JH: The psychological side is a massive part. Everyone's very talented at this level and the psychological edge you can gain by staring at a batsman or a bowler, or that little word now and again to get them out of their comfort zone, that sort of thing plays a big part.

RYG: How do you cope with it?

JH: I'm more of a person that tries to switch off and concentrate. It's all about learning and that's what I'm trying to combat at the moment being a youngster!

RYG: How competitive is it playing for places at this level?

JH: Massively. At the end of the day everyone's looking over their shoulder playing for their contract. There are young players coming up all the time, as I'm coming up now, and there are older players there looking after their contracts, but everyone wants to win. Everyone wants to perform so in terms of that it's massive.

RYG: Who inspires you?

JH: My team mates and all the older players. Robert Croft, who's done so much in the game, he's not far off 1000 wickets now. All the international blokes. Glen McGrath who has just retired - I've watched him since I was a youngster. I'd love to aspire to something like that. If I can get somewhere near that I'd be a very happy man.

RYG: If you were to look at someone who you really want to emulate, are there any skills that you would take from them?

JH: The likes of Simon Jones, Alex Wharf and people like that who've played at the top level. There are technical things you can take from them, but more how they cope with what they've had to go through to get to that level. Having these people around is a massive help to me, and whatever they can give me I'm prepared to listen. That's the big thing, listening to these people and taking whatever you can from them.

RYG: Is it nerve-wracking when you come out to play?

JH: Yes it is. I'm more comfortable bowling, but if I'm sitting in the dug-out waiting to bat I will be very nervous! The games with TV cameras are obviously a little bit more nerve-wracking as you don't want things to go wrong. You want to keep doing well.

RYG: When you're out here, do you still feel as excited as the first time you came out?

JH: Yeah, every time! I'd like to think that will stay with me all the way through. If you stop being excited every time you come out to the crowd then it might be the time to let go, but for the moment I'm loving every minute of it.

RYG: If there is any criticism, how do you respond to it?

JH: Luckily for me so far I haven't experienced much! Within the team everyone tries to motivate each other so I think the team plays a big part in that sort of thing. Everyone feels down at some time but I think the fact that you've got all the boys behind you can be a big help in times like that.

RYG: What are your career highlights so far?

JH: The highlight for me has to be the Gloucester game where I got 12 wickets! That was pretty special, pretty surreal for a second game.

RYG: What are your hopes for the future?

JH: Trying to develop, keep playing for Glamorgan and taking wickets. Ideally I'd love to have the opportunity to captain England in the future which is a big goal of mine, and hopefully one I'll achieve.

RYG: For young people who look at you and think 'I would give anything to be where he is,' what do they need to do?

JH: Keep working hard, keep believing. There's no substitute for hard work, but I've also had a bit of luck as well! I'm fighting fit and I've had my chance and taken it, but keep believing, keep trying, keep working hard and it will come.