Corey Harris - all about team success
Sorrento Cricket Club | April 20, 2023
Corey Harris played all his junior cricket with Sorrento Cricket Club and apart from a few seasons he’s done so the same in senior cricket.
An opening batsman who’s represented Victoria Country is also a multiple premiership winner.
Let’s find out more about Corey’s journey in the game
What year you were born?
1985
Can you remember you ?rst game of cricket?
I was 8 or 9 in the Sorrento under 12s playing up at Main Ridge number 2 ground, I got run out for not many.
Tell us brie?y about your cricketing journey?
I played all of my junior cricket at Sorrento. I started senior cricket in the 4ths with Geoff Morgan and my old man at the age of 12 before making my senior debut at 15 under Peter Walker in sub district.
I stayed at Sorrento to see us rise into provincial before brief stints at Rye and Mount Martha as a captain coach. I returned to Sorrento CC where I’ve played ever since. I also played 4 seasons in the UK, one in Kent and 3 in Cornwall.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in senior cricket?
My debut in 4th grade was against Crib Point and we all piled into Morgo’s van after under 14s. A special memory from the game was getting a batsman out ‘caught Harris, bowled Harris’, father son combination. I don’t think we left Crib Point before midnight.
Sorrento Cricket Club
What was the highest grade you played and can you remember what you were feeling when you were selected and how did you perform on debut?
I was lucky enough to play for the Victorian Country side. We went to Perth for a 2 week tournament. I wasn’t expecting to get selected as there were so many good players in the squad so when my name was read out I was a bit shocked but really excited.
On debut I was 20 not out vs South Australia when I tried to launch one, my spikes stuck when I twisted and my knee gave out and my tournament was over. Unfortunately I never got back to playing as well as I was at that time of my career.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Opening batsman.
What were your strengths as a player?
Good player of fast bowling, often did all the hard work against the new ball and then get out.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
168 in a 395 run opening partnership for Rye CC vs Red Hill
Corey brings on his century on his way to 100 v Baxter in November 2019
What were your best bowling ?gures in senior cricket?
I took 6 for 39 in the 4ths for Sorrento as a kid.
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Dale Irving - Had lots of good battles with him, had a great out swinger.
Paul Hartle - Really smart bowler, won us a ?nal at country week one year with an unbelievable spell.
Jake Wood - Plays for us but just gives his all, hits the pitch hard and just doesn’t lie down.
Corey Harris batting
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Dwayne Doig- really good ?ight bowler, very accurate and subtle changes.
Ravi Pallugurage - A level above, had all the tricks.
Any good left arm spinner on those Cornish turning tracks would give me a hard time Teams would tend to open from either end with one to get me once the word got around.
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Daniel Warwick- Loved playing against us, great through the leg side and against slower bowling.
Ben Clements- Very classy player, accumulator great technique and temperament.
Anthony Blackwell- Played with him more than against, but he was a level above. On drive and pull shot, great to watch when he was on.
Who played the best innings you’ve seen ?rsthand playing with or against?
Anthony Blackwell 171 vs Flinders. He was 100 with the score on 113 and just tore them apart with technical cricket shots. It was a joy to watch.
Leigh Poholke 25 not out in the grand ?nal just gone. I couldn’t watch I was too nervous but he told me it was a great innings.
Was there any bowler in particular who whatever reason always seemed to cause you a few problems?
In England where the ball turned I struggled against left arm orthodox bowlers. At home the spinners don’t get much purchase so not a problem. In terms of a speci?c player I don’t recall anyone who consistently troubled me, I would normally ?nd a way to get myself out.
Corey Harris at the crease
Can you recall a time when you thought, wow, this is a step or two up from what you were used to and you really had to knuckle down to survive?
I was only 16 or so playing against Tootgarook who had a West Indian quick named Grenville.
We had about 10 overs to face after bowling them out and he came o? the long run with gold chains going everywhere and he bowled fast. Only reason he didn’t get me out was he got so much bounce I couldn’t get near it.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen ?rsthand playing with or against?
Rob Hearn impressed me with his keeping. Rob Dunball got lots of set play leg side stumping’s o? Anthony Blackwell and Wade Pelzer made it look easy.
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Skill wise, Scotty Phillips was just a huge talent with bat and ball and was great in the field.
Competitively, probably Anthony Blackwell and Jake Wood who both have a will to win and never stop trying.
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Gary Richardson I learnt a lot from. Dan Warwick was excellent at country week tactically very astute. We had success with Bobby Wilson who brings a relaxed vibe which has worked for us. Anthony Blackwell just led by example. They’re all good don’t want to single one out.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Gerard Clarke is a very funny man and great dressing room banter. In my early days guys like Porno (Pete Miller) and Dave Lawson were good fun too.
Who was your childhood hero?
I looked up to Jason Dunstall and Michael Jordan but mostly Dean Jones and Mark Waugh from a cricket perspective
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Kelly Slater, Michael Jordan, Steve Waugh.
Michael Jordan
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Michael Atheton
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Truro in Cornwall
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Been lucky enough to play in 6 premierships and they are all special. The team success is what stands out. Four with Sorrento, One with Rye and one with Truro.
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Country Week ?nal vs Ballarat. We came from nowhere to defend a modest score. Semi ?nal 3 years ago vs POB we won by a few runs by taking 7 for 20 odd. Also chasing down 329 at home vs Baxter. All stand out but there have been so many.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
I’d have the guys I’m playing with now. We have a great group of players and its keeping me young.
What are your hobbies?
Sur?ng, following Carlton and walking the dog.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Buy Bitcoin.
What’s your occupation?
My wife and I have a boutique short stay management business called Super Hosts operating on the Peninsula
If you were running a state cricket association what would your 2 priorities be to ensure cricket in the state remained strong and successful on and o? the ?eld?
I love the idea of the T20 double headers for clubs as a part of the main ?xture. Keep investing in grassroots, the more funding that makes it to club levels the batter.
