Harris keen for coaching and television doors to open
Popular former Black Cap Chris Harris has traded in his player-coach duties in Zimbabwe for Papatoetoe. Sam Worthington asks Harris, now 43, why.
What are you doing in Papatoetoe?
I spent two years in Zimbabwe and my contract ended. I was looking to come back to Canterbury and work there but unfortunately all the positions had been filled. I decided to have a wee look around and Papatoetoe came up with a reasonably good offer to play club cricket and coach and work amongst the schools. I’ve temporarily moved up to Auckland but it’s been tough because I’ve had to leave the family at home in Christchurch. If we can make things work here then we’ll get the family up.
So you’re keen to keep playing for a while yet?
Yeah I guess I’ve still got a couple of years left. I’m thoroughly enjoying it. I’ve been getting a few wickets, but not as many runs as I would like. It’s just a matter of practising what you preach really. It’s much easier to do it from the sidelines, to tell people how to play rather than actually having to go out there and do it for yourself. But I’m quite enjoying the challenge.
Are you copping lots of chatter from the opposition?
It’s actually pretty good up here in Auckland. I think some of the younger guys are copping it a bit but fortunately at this stage they’ve tended to leave me alone which is quite kind.
So you’re hoping to make coaching a career?
Yeah I’m enjoying it and like any coach you want to go up the ranks. Once I get my level threes, with a couple of years experience in Zimbabwe, a couple of years here, it would be nice to move up the ranks and get involved in perhaps domestic cricket or a position internationally. Whether it be in a specialised role like fielding, there seems to be so many more opportunities in cricket now when you look at all the T20 competitions around the world. The IPL, the Big Bash, it would be wonderful to get involved in one of those tournaments in a specialist role initially and perhaps in time that could grow into a bigger role.
Has anyone asked for advice on how to bowl like you?
Actually, quite a few have but it’s pretty hard to teach [laughs]. I say if you can do the opposite to my action then you’re heading in the right direction. A few people try. There are actually quite a few people that are quite good at copying the action but it’s not something I’ll be recommending.
What are you up to outside of cricket?
I’m looking to do a little bit of work with Sky. There’s talk of a show on The Cricket Show, along the lines of ‘‘An Over With Harry’’. We’ll get some celebrities in that have some cricketing ability or knowledge. There will be a quick interview and then six balls with me testing their abilities off a bowling machine. A kid’s one that can fire the ball down about 100kmh. It should be a bit of fun. Have you got any candidates you’d like to test? Well Marc Ellis would be a good one, because he’s passionate about cricket. Perhaps Jeremy Wells, All Blacks like Ali Williams and people along those lines. Hopefully people will be interested to see their cricketing ability.