• County cricket

Harris opts for Middlesex

George Dobell
September 24, 2012
James Harris has represented England Lions but decided to leave Glamorgan in pursuit of further honours © Getty Images
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Middlesex have beaten off significant competition from strong rivals to complete the signing of James Harris from Glamorgan.

Harris, a 22-year-old seamer of considerable potential and a more than useful lower-order batsman, had been the target of several other Test-hosting clubs in Division One of the Championship. Nottinghamshire described him as their No. 1 target, while Yorkshire were also keen to persuade him to join them. Glamorgan also say they made Harris a "substantial contract offer to retain his services".

His arrival underlines Middlesex's ambition. They finished third in the top division in 2012 and, with a largely young and close-knit squad, must be considered title contenders for the next few seasons.

Injury limited Harris to only four Championship games in 2012, but he claimed six wickets in an innings when he represented England Lions against Australia A at Edgbaston in August and won a place in the England Performance Programme Squad that will travel to India in November.

His loss is a grave disappointment to Glamorgan. Harris developed through the club's youth system and became the youngest man to represent the club's second XI in 2005, when he was aged just 14 years and 353 days, going on to make his first-class debut aged just 16 in 2007. He remains the youngest man to claim a seven-wicket haul in the Championship, at 17, and became the quickest player to reach 100 and 200 first-class wickets for Glamorgan.

Harris feels, however, that his best chance of fulfilling his ambition required him to move. Glamorgan finished sixth in Division Two of the Championship in 2012 while history would suggest that players at the club struggle to win recognition from England selectors.

George Dobell is a senior correspondent at ESPNcricinfo

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