Harris Tony Image 1 Transvaal 1948

Description

Kimberley, Cape Province born right-handed batsman Tony Harris made his debut in first class cricket in 1933-34, playing for Griqualand West prior to the Second World War, but it was after the War that Harris came to prominence,  being described in 1948 as “one of South Africa’s most distinguished batsmen”, by now playing his provincial cricket for Transvaal. He was selected to tour England in 1947 and made his Test match debut against England at Trent Bridge in June 1947, making 60 in South Africa’s first innings in a drawn match, his highest Test match innings. He retained his place for the Lord’s Test later the same month, but then lost his place and wasn’t selected again to represent South Africa until he played against England at Johannesburg in February 1949, a season that also proved his last in first class cricket. However he did little with the bat and bowed out of Test match cricket with a batting average of 25.00.

Described as “strong in attack and clever in defence, Tony has a variety of strokes and can make an afternoon’s cricket  a joy to watch with his powerful strokes to the boundaries”, Harris scored 3,028 runs at an average of 41.47 in 55 first class matches with 6 centuries and 16 half centuries and a highest score of 191 not out. He also took 52 catches in first class play.

A fine all-round sportsman, Harris also represented South Africa in five Rugby Union Tests during the 1930’s.

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