South Africa v India, 3rd Test, Cape Town

Cape Town debut is Harris's dream come true

Dileep Premachandran at Newlands

January 1, 2007

Paul Harris: 'If someone asked me if I'd pay 2 million Rand to play for my country, I'd do it' © Getty Images

When Paul Harris left Cape Town nearly five years ago, international recognition was nowhere on the horizon. The presence of Paul Adams and Claude Henderson had blocked his progress at Western Province, and the move up to Centurion and Northerns was made just to get some sort of bowling under his belt. Even then, there were no immediate rewards, but his slow transformation into one of the country's leading slow bowlers has now been recognised by the selection panel, with Harris certain to be handed his Test cap at Newlands on Tuesday.

Though he was born in Harare, Harris grew up in Cape Town, and the thought of stepping out onto the turf at a venue where he spent his formative years filled him with excitement. "It's a dream come true," he said. "I was brought up in Cape Town. To do a full circle and come back here is just ... no words to describe it."

He insisted that he wouldn't be putting too much pressure on himself going into the game. "I have a job to do," he said, comfortable in front of the cameras as he tried to fit his large frame into a small chair. "If I get a bit of spin, the aim is to win the game for my country. Otherwise, I'll do whatever I've been doing for the Titans. I've been keeping it tight, not giving away too many runs and waiting for the batters to make a mistake."

The Indians enjoy a reputation as great players of slow bowling, though left-arm spinners have enjoyed success against them in the past. "They really are good players of spin bowling, but I'm not worried about what they're going to do," said Harris confidently. "I'm worried about what I'm going to do."

Asked if there was anyone in particular that he needed to focus on, Harris mentioned Rahul Dravid. "He's obviously a serious player, a difficult player."

The man who he credits with his dramatic rise through the ranks is no Shane Warne, or even a Terry Jenner. Richard Pybus, now in charge at the Titans, once coached Pakistan, and Harris calls him "a spin-bowling genius coach". "He turned my career around, from a left-arm roller to a left-arm spinner."

Harris played eight matches as a Kolpak player last season, but let them know that he hadn't given up on South Africa. "I made it clear to Warwickshire that I wasn't signing for good," he said. "They wanted me to sign a longer contract but I didn't do it. I want to play for South Africa, and I believe I'm the man for the job. Once my international career is over, I'd love to play for them again. It's a great club."

He admitted that he'd given up a "hell of a lot of money" to turn his back on the county. But unlike Henderson, who turned down a chance to represent his country when he was contacted by the selectors soon after Nicky Boje's sudden retirement, Harris was never riddled with doubt. "If someone asked me if I'd pay 2 million Rand to play for my country, I'd do it," he said.

Harris has 157 wickets at 28.75 from 44 first-class matches, and has also spent the last few seasons working on his batting and fielding. "If it were up to me, I'd open the batting," he said with a grin. "Hopefully I won't bat Jack [No.11]. As far as fielding goes, it wasn't strongest part of my game. But I've worked on it."

When Smith does finally throw him the ball during the game, the 28-year-old might glance up into the stands and spot some old mates. The Fish Hoek school he went to is a few miles up the road from Newlands, and if Harris does contribute to a series-winning triumph, the circle that he spoke of will truly be complete.

Dileep Premachandran is features editor of Cricinfo

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