Harris pens a two-year contract at Glo’sters
AUSTRALIA opening batsman Marcus Harris has put pen to paper on a two-year contract with Gloucestershire.
The 29-year-old, who has played ten Test matches, will be available for all formats in 2022 and 2023.
Harris said: “I’m delighted to sign for Gloucestershire for the next two years at what is a really exciting time for the club. I’ve heard nothing but great things about the club and I’m looking forward to the opportunity.
“The other aspect that attracted me to Bristol is the opportunity to play in the T20 Blast for the first time.
“I’d like to thank Leicestershire for giving me my first opportunity to play county cricket. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and I wish them the very best for next season.”
Harris made his Test debut at the end of 2018 when he was called up for a four-match series against India and scored 256 runs in the series, including two half-centuries, at an average of 36.57.
Since making his full debut for Western Australia in 2011, Harris has scored 7,567 runs for his home state, Victoria and Leicestershire at an average of 39.82 and a strike rate of 54.67. He has made 18 first-class centuries and 31 half-centuries with a high score of 250 not out off 403 balls for Victoria against New South Wales in 2018.
Gloucestershire interim head coach Ian Harvey, himself an Aussie, said: “Marcus is a tremendous player who has shown an ability to score a lot of runs in both red-ball and limited overs cricket.
“He has opened the batting for Australia at Test level and has come in at three in county cricket, so we know wherever he slots in, he will make big scores. He is a leader and a consummate professional, which is everything you want in an overseas player and, having received a glowing endorsement from club legend Michael Klinger, we have no doubt he will add huge value to the squad.”
Harris experienced domestic cricket in England for the first time in 2021, representing Leicestershire in the County Championship and Royal London Cup, and made 655 runs at an average of 54.58.
Harris’ maiden county century came in just his third match against Surrey, the first of three consecutive matches in which he made triplefigure scores at Leicester.
His highest score of the season was 185 from 311 balls in a victory over Middlesex before Gloucestershire experienced his talent firsthand as he racked up 148 off 236 to lead his team to victory in early June.
Chief executive Will Brown said the signing of Harris is “a big statement of intent from the club.”
He continued: “Marcus is an ambitious player with a huge amount of talent and we are delighted that he has seen the vision of the club and wants to be a part of that over the next two years.”
■ England’s postponed 2021 tour of Holland has been rearranged for June 2022.
Eoin Morgan’s side were due to visit Holland in May but the trip was called off due to uncertainty regarding the Covid-19 pandemic.
Three one-day internationals have now been pencilled in for between June 17 and June 22 with all of the fixtures taking place at Amstelveen.