Past Player: Chris Harker

27th Jun 2020

What are your early memories of playing cricket at SN?

1 I joined SNCC in 1976 and played for the 1^st XI after (rightly) playing for the 2^nd XI for one game. To be honest, my early memories are of frustration at not bowling as much as I wanted/expected and, while being impressed by John Bradford (as a player), also trying to understand him and the cliques within the club.

What was the highlights of your playing career at SN?

2 Competing against the best sides in the area as an amateur team, and therefore without heavy reliance on a paid, generally overseas, professional. Having said that, I can say that I have played against quite a number of West Indian Test cricketers. Eventually winning the League (and two cups?) in 1988. From a personal achievement point of view, being the Umpires “Bowler of the Year” in consecutive seasons and playing for Northumberland.

Who did you enjoy playing with at SN the most and why?

3 A lot of people but in no particular order… Gordon Halliday (similarly negative at times but enjoyed bowling with him in tandem and trying to tie up both ends), Duncan Stephen (brave enough to crouch for hundreds of overs at short leg when not banished to the outfield when his enthusiasm boiled over), Michael Anderson (admiration at his natural talent but frustrated at it not being fulfilled at higher levels), Clive Goatman, Nigel and Chris Campbell, Howard Sidney-Wilmot and so on….

Who was your most difficult opponent and why?

4 Probably Allen Thompson as he could hit on both sides of the wicket (and a really nice guy as well) rather than Ken Pearson who had the largest pads! Shame there wasn’t computerised scoring so I could check who scored the most runs, highest average, highest strike rate etc against me as a bowler. I wasn’t much of batsman but I could never read Rami Verma….except from the pavilion!

Who was the best (overseas?) player you have seen play at SN?

5 Courtenay Walsh (who had control and a brain) rather than Ian Bishop and, at club level anyway, Kelvin Williams destructive “power” batting also comes to mind. As for spinners, Ken Norton (although his best years were before I played) and Rami Verma.

How has local recreational cricket changed?

6 Don’t think I’m best placed to answer this as probably the biggest changes have been after I stopped playing

What is your favourite post playing moment at SN?

7 Not sure what you are aiming at here. After I stopped playing I have had little involvement with SNCC (initially this was deliberate so I wasn’t tempted to start playing again and then other things have taken over). As for “off the pitch”, a night in the bar after a “good win” on a hot day takes some beating!

What are your hopes for SN and local cricket in the future?

8 Obviously I wish SNCC every success in the future and I think one of the challenges, in this increasingly digital age, is to ensure that young people not only take up the game but then enjoy it and keep on playing it