Len Harris

Leonard Alphonso Harris (3 September 1934 – 16 March 2006) was a West Indian cricketer who played for the Leeward Islands between 1958 and 1971. An opening batsman for much of his career, and occasional bowler in his final seasons, He then went on to play lower-level cricket for St. Kitts until 1976, and helped create the first cricket academy in the Leeward Islands. Opening the batting, he made 69 and 14, but did not bowl as Jamaica took an innings victory. Harris did not play again that season, however his efforts in this once match were enough for him to reach fourth place in the first-class averages, behind Gary Sobers. Harris did not get a second chance in first-class cricket until 25 February 1960, when he was selected to play against the touring MCC side at the Antigua Recreation Ground.

Harris waited over another year before playing in a combined Leeward and Windward Islands team against British Guiana on 6 October 1961, in Georgetown. Sporadic appearances continued, Harris' next appearance coming on 21 April 1962, against a touring Indian team – once again for the combined Leeward and Windward Islands team.

It was then three more years before Harris played in a first-class match. On 12 March 1965, the touring Australian side faced the Leeward Islands in Basseterre. He then faced the Windward Islands later that year on 25 November at Roseau, The following year, on 27 January, he scored 41 and 52 against Jamaica, and on 9 February was dismissed for one but took two catches in a rain-interrupted match against Barbados. Matches against British Guiana and Trinidad and Tobago followed through 1966, yielding scores of 61, 13, zero and 39 from the top order. 1965–66 was Harris' most eventful season thus far in his career, and he ended it with 276 runs from five matches at 34.50.

1967 saw three more matches for Leeward Islands against Barbados, Jamaica and the Windward Islands. In the first match, on 9 February, Harris faced Barbados in Warner Park, Basseterre, and scored 18 and 10. He also bowled two deliveries before Barbados declared for 406. Against Jamaica he scored 91 – then a career best – and 15, and against Windward Islands on 27 March at Sturge Park, in the now abandoned Plymouth, Montserrat, where he scored 33. He then faced the MCC for a second time on 15 February 1968, also in Plymouth. With his efforts in the 1968 season, he broke the Leeward Islands' batting record. On 17 January 1969, he scored zero and 30 against Barbados, and on 12 February scored 17 and 12, and took once wicket for 14 runs against Guyana.

Harris then played four successive matches in early 1970, the first against Windward Islands on 16 January at Warner Park. Harris could not carry this form over, however. Scores of six and four saw Barbados home by nine wickets on 22 January, and 35, 23 and the wicket of West Indian international Bryan Davis could not prevent an innings defeat to Trinidad and Tobago on 27 January. This season was, however, his most successful with the ball taking career best figures of 12 wickets at 15.41. 'This included a productive spell of four wickets at the cost of three runs. India toured the West Indies in 1971, and faced Leeward Islands on 25 February, with Harris scoring 18 and 24 as the home team fell to a heavy nine wicket defeat at Warner Park. Harris' final match against Jamaica, on 27 March, His final season held six matches – the most of his career – and saw him hit 305 runs – again a personal best – at 30.50. He had played two matches for St. Kitts in 1970, scoring 24 against Montserrat at Warner Park on 10 July, and five and 54 against Nevis in the semi-final and final of the Hesketh Bell Shield. and scores of 11 and 29 against Nevis in July. Two matches of the same competition in 1974 saw scores of 28, 82, and two. He faced Monsterrat again in 1976, scoring 46 and 10 on 19 June, and then scored three against Nevis in his final match, on 2 July 1976.

Following his career as a player, Harris worked in conjunction with Carib Brewery to create the Carib Brewery-Len Harris Cricket Academy, named in his honour, It was the first Academy of its kind in the Leeward Islands.

Playing style

Harris was a successful opening batsman for Leeward Islands during his career. Preferring the on-side, but also successful with the off drive, Harris averaged 73 in opening partnerships with Oscar Williams. In 1998, Viv Richards referred to Harris one of "the greats of the Leeward Islands" in his A Spirit of Dominance. West Indian journalist Timothy Alfred referred to Harris as a batsman "of tremendous talent" who "unfortunately was not able to secure a place on the then power pack West Indies team." The academy continues to play club cricket in St. Kitts against Newton, Cayon, Sandy Point, St. Paul's and the local police force team.