James Harris: Glamorgan re-sign Middlesex all-rounder on three-year deal

Experienced Welsh all-rounder James Harris is to rejoin Glamorgan from Middlesex for the 2022 season on a three-year contract.

Harris, 31, played for Glamorgan for six seasons after making his debut for the county when aged only 16.

He says he has "years and years" left to play and would be "proud" if a captaincy role arises.

Harris appeared frequently for England Lions and made a senior T20 squad after his switch to Middlesex.

Harris, who made his county debut in 2007 but made two Championship appearances back on loan early in 2021, says he feels "as good as ever" physically.

"I feel I've got years and years to play. We start with three, but if I'm enjoying my cricket in five, six, seven years.. Tim Murtagh has just turned 40 at Middlesex and I feel like I've got a lot of cricket left in me," he told BBC Sport Wales.

"Change is often a good thing and I want to play a part in an improving, quite young team that I can hopefully help to some honours and successes in the next few years.

"Having spent a couple of weeks earlier in the year with (coach) Matt Maynard and (director of cricket) Mark Wallace, I'd like to be a part of what they're trying to build. I'm really looking forward to a positive move back.

"There was always part of me that wanted to come home and rejoin Glamorgan at some point in my career, though I've been really happy in London and I thank everyone at Middlesex."

The Swansea-born seamer has a career-best performance of nine for 34 for Middlesex, against Durham in 2015, and a highest red-ball score of 80, though he has hit a limited-overs century.

Captaincy role?

Harris, who is chairman of the Professional Cricketers' Association, says a captaincy role at some point in the future is not off the table - though he stresses it is not a factor in his return.

"If opportunities present in the future then I'd be proud. I grew up with my dad sitting in the stands at Sophia Gardens watching Crofty (then-captain Robert Croft) and a load of the guys playing that I ended up playing with when I started out, that was a hugely proud moment.

"To say to that lad when he was 12, 13, 14 that he might be able to captain the club down the line, I wouldn't have believed you, or to have had this career to date and played for 15 years already. But hopefully I've got a lot more left, and I'm really privileged and honoured, I'm really looking forward to coming back."

Harris will join a Glamorgan seam attack which includes Australia's Michael Neser, who has re-signed for 2022 after a brief but productive first season with the county.

Harris' transfer is currently scheduled for the end of the 2021 season, but could be brought forward by a month for him to play in the final four Championship games for Glamorgan, if it suits both clubs.

Middlesex have lost batsman Nick Gubbins to Hampshire, but despite a difficult season on and off the field, they have agreed new contracts with players including Steve Eskinazi, Nathan Sowter, Ethan Bamber and Blake Cullen.