Garfield Harrison
Encyclopedia
Garfield David Harrison (born 8 May 1961 in Lurgan
, County Armagh
, Northern Ireland
) is one of four brothers to have played cricket
for Ireland. Garfield was by far the most successful of the four, playing 118 times for Ireland between 1983 and 1997, including twelve first-class
matches against Scotland and 20 List A matches.
He is one of only six players to have played more than 100 times for Ireland, behind only Kyle McCallan
and Alan Lewis
. He started his career as an opening bowler, but switched to off spin
, becoming so good at this style of bowling that he took 9/113 against Scotland in 1990, the best bowling figures in first-class cricket in the UK that year, the fourth best bowling figures in all cricket for Ireland and the second best for Ireland in first-class cricket.
, closely followed by his List A debut against Sussex
in the NatWest Trophy in June 1983 and his first-class debut in July against Scotland. He had a successful first-class debut, scoring 86 in the Irish first innings. He also played against Gloucestershire
, the MCC
and Wales during his first year in the Irish team.
He retained his place in the Ireland team in 1984, playing against the MCC, Scotland, Surrey
and the West Indies, though he played just once in 1985 against Scotland. He went on Ireland's tour of Zimbabwe
in early 1986, playing two matches, but again played just once during the summer, again against Scotland.
He became a much more regular fixture in the Irish side in 1987, playing ten times that year, five times in 1988 and nine times in 1989, including internationals against Pakistan, Scotland and Wales.
and Wales he played a first-class match against Scotland in Edinburgh
. The match was drawn, but Harrison took 9/113 in the only Scottish innings, the best bowling figures in UK first-class cricket that year.
1991 saw him tour Zimbabwe once again, with games against Middlesex
, Scotland and the West Indies during the summer. 1992 saw games against the MCC, Middlesex and an England Amateur XI.
1993 was an important year for Irish cricket as they gained membership of the International Cricket Council
and Harrison continued to retain his place in the Irish side. That year he played against Australia, Barbados
, the Netherlands and Scotland in addition to playing in that year's Triple Crown Tournament
. In early 1994, he was named in Ireland's squad for the 1994 ICC Trophy
, Ireland's first appearance in the tournament
. The summer saw him scored his first and only century
for Ireland against Scotland, in addition to playing against Leicestershire
, New Zealand, Northamptonshire and in the 1994 Triple Crown Tournament.
Ireland began to play much more in 1995 and 1996, and Harrison played 24 times for them in those two years, including internationals against Scotland and the West Indies, several games against English county
sides and the Triple Crown Tournament in 1995 and 1996, and the European Championship
in 1996. before playing his final first-class game against Scotland in August 1996. His Ireland career finished in 1997, playing in the ICC Trophy
that year, his last match coming against Scotland on 10 April.
in August, scoring 29 and taking 1/37.
at an average of 26.08, scoring twelve half-centuries and one century. He took 140 wickets at an average
of 33.67, taking five wickets in an innings three times.
, Jim
and Roy
) all played for Ireland, as did his brother-in-law Eddie Bushe
and his nephew Jonathan Bushe
.
Lurgan
Lurgan is a town in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. The town is near the southern shore of Lough Neagh and in the north-eastern corner of the county. Part of the Craigavon Borough Council area, Lurgan is about 18 miles south-west of Belfast and is linked to the city by both the M1 motorway...
, County Armagh
County Armagh
-History:Ancient Armagh was the territory of the Ulaid before the fourth century AD. It was ruled by the Red Branch, whose capital was Emain Macha near Armagh. The site, and subsequently the city, were named after the goddess Macha...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
) is one of four brothers to have played cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
for Ireland. Garfield was by far the most successful of the four, playing 118 times for Ireland between 1983 and 1997, including twelve first-class
First-class cricket
First-class cricket is a class of cricket that consists of matches of three or more days' scheduled duration, that are between two sides of eleven players and are officially adjudged first-class by virtue of the standard of the competing teams...
matches against Scotland and 20 List A matches.
He is one of only six players to have played more than 100 times for Ireland, behind only Kyle McCallan
Kyle McCallan
William Kyle McCallan, MBE , usually known as Kyle McCallan, is an Irish cricketer. A right-handed batsman and off spin bowler, he has played more times for the Ireland cricket team than any other player, more than 40 caps ahead of the next player in the table, the retired Peter Gillespie...
and Alan Lewis
Alan Lewis
David Alan Lewis is an Irish former cricketer and current Rugby Union referee. His father Ian also played cricket for Ireland...
. He started his career as an opening bowler, but switched to off spin
Off spin
Off spin is a type of bowling in the sport of cricket which is bowled by an off spinner, a right-handed spin bowler who uses his or her fingers and/or wrist to spin the ball from a right-handed batsman's off side to the leg side...
, becoming so good at this style of bowling that he took 9/113 against Scotland in 1990, the best bowling figures in first-class cricket in the UK that year, the fourth best bowling figures in all cricket for Ireland and the second best for Ireland in first-class cricket.
1980s
He first played for Ireland in June 1983, playing two games against WorcestershireWorcestershire County Cricket Club
Worcestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Worcestershire...
, closely followed by his List A debut against Sussex
Sussex County Cricket Club
Sussex County Cricket Club is the oldest of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Sussex. The club was founded as a successor to Brighton Cricket Club which was a representative of the county of Sussex as a...
in the NatWest Trophy in June 1983 and his first-class debut in July against Scotland. He had a successful first-class debut, scoring 86 in the Irish first innings. He also played against Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire County Cricket Club
Gloucestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Gloucestershire. Its limited overs team is called the Gloucestershire Gladiators....
, the MCC
Marylebone Cricket Club
Marylebone Cricket Club is a cricket club in London founded in 1787. Its influence and longevity now witness it as a private members' club dedicated to the development of cricket. It owns, and is based at, Lord's Cricket Ground in St John's Wood, London NW8. MCC was formerly the governing body of...
and Wales during his first year in the Irish team.
He retained his place in the Ireland team in 1984, playing against the MCC, Scotland, Surrey
Surrey County Cricket Club
Surrey County Cricket Club is one of the 18 professional county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Surrey. Its limited overs team is called the Surrey Lions...
and the West Indies, though he played just once in 1985 against Scotland. He went on Ireland's tour of Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
in early 1986, playing two matches, but again played just once during the summer, again against Scotland.
He became a much more regular fixture in the Irish side in 1987, playing ten times that year, five times in 1988 and nine times in 1989, including internationals against Pakistan, Scotland and Wales.
1990s
The first year of the decade saw his finest hour in the Irish side. After playing two matches against New Zealand and Worcestershire and a match each against the MCC, SussexSussex County Cricket Club
Sussex County Cricket Club is the oldest of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Sussex. The club was founded as a successor to Brighton Cricket Club which was a representative of the county of Sussex as a...
and Wales he played a first-class match against Scotland in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
. The match was drawn, but Harrison took 9/113 in the only Scottish innings, the best bowling figures in UK first-class cricket that year.
1991 saw him tour Zimbabwe once again, with games against Middlesex
Middlesex County Cricket Club
Middlesex County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Middlesex. It was announced in February 2009 that Middlesex changed their limited overs name from the Middlesex Crusaders, to the...
, Scotland and the West Indies during the summer. 1992 saw games against the MCC, Middlesex and an England Amateur XI.
1993 was an important year for Irish cricket as they gained membership of the International Cricket Council
International Cricket Council
The International Cricket Council is the international governing body of cricket. It was founded as the Imperial Cricket Conference in 1909 by representatives from England, Australia and South Africa, renamed the International Cricket Conference in 1965, and took up its current name in 1989.The...
and Harrison continued to retain his place in the Irish side. That year he played against Australia, Barbados
Barbados national cricket team
The Barbadian cricket team is the representative first class cricket team of Barbados.It does not take part in any international competitions , but rather in inter-regional competitions in the Caribbean, such as the Regional Four Day Competition and the WICB Cup, and the best players may be...
, the Netherlands and Scotland in addition to playing in that year's Triple Crown Tournament
Triple Crown Tournament
The Triple Crown Tournament was a cricket competition staged annually from 1993 to 2001 between the Home Nations; that is to say Ireland, Scotland, Wales and a team representing England...
. In early 1994, he was named in Ireland's squad for the 1994 ICC Trophy
1994 ICC Trophy
The ABN-AMRO 1994 ICC Trophy was a cricket tournament that took place in Kenya in February/March 1994. It was the qualifying tournament for the 1996 Cricket World Cup. The UAE defeated the host nation Kenya in the final and the Netherlands finished 3rd with all 3 sides qualifing for their first...
, Ireland's first appearance in the tournament
ICC Trophy
The ICC World Cup Qualifier is an international one-day cricket tournament run under the auspices of the International Cricket Council. Any Associate or Affiliate member of the ICC may attempt to qualify for the ICC Trophy by means of a system of regional qualifying events. The test-playing Full...
. The summer saw him scored his first and only century
Century (cricket)
In the sport of cricket, a batsman reaches his century when he scores 100 or more runs in a single innings. The term is also included in "century partnership" which occurs when two batsmen add 100 runs to the team total when they are batting together. A century is regarded as a landmark score for...
for Ireland against Scotland, in addition to playing against Leicestershire
Leicestershire County Cricket Club
Leicestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Leicestershire. It has also been representative of the county of Rutland....
, New Zealand, Northamptonshire and in the 1994 Triple Crown Tournament.
Ireland began to play much more in 1995 and 1996, and Harrison played 24 times for them in those two years, including internationals against Scotland and the West Indies, several games against English county
County cricket
County cricket is the highest level of domestic cricket in England and Wales. For the 2010 season, see 2010 English cricket season.-First-class counties:...
sides and the Triple Crown Tournament in 1995 and 1996, and the European Championship
European Cricket Championship
The European Cricket Championship is a group of various tournaments in which national cricket sides throughout Europe compete. The tournament is designed to encourage and develop the best players in countries where cricket is not a major sport and Europe's only Test cricket playing country,...
in 1996. before playing his final first-class game against Scotland in August 1996. His Ireland career finished in 1997, playing in the ICC Trophy
1997 ICC Trophy
The Carlsberg 1997 ICC Trophy was a cricket tournament played in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in March/April 1997. It was the qualification tournament for the 1999 Cricket World Cup. Kenya and for the first time Bangladesh and Scotland all Qualified.-First round:...
that year, his last match coming against Scotland on 10 April.
Post Ireland
In 2003, he came out of retirement to play a match for the MCC against Ireland at Lord'sLord's Cricket Ground
Lord's Cricket Ground is a cricket venue in St John's Wood, London. Named after its founder, Thomas Lord, it is owned by Marylebone Cricket Club and is the home of Middlesex County Cricket Club, the England and Wales Cricket Board , the European Cricket Council and, until August 2005, the...
in August, scoring 29 and taking 1/37.
Statistics
In all matches for Ireland, he scored 2765 runsRun (cricket)
In the sport of cricket, a run is the basic unit of scoring. Runs are scored by a batsman, and the aggregate of the scores of a team's batsmen constitutes the team's score. A batsman scoring 50 or 100 runs , or any higher multiple of 50 runs, is considered a particular achievement...
at an average of 26.08, scoring twelve half-centuries and one century. He took 140 wickets at an average
Bowling average
Bowling average is a statistic measuring the performance of bowlers in the sport of cricket.A bowler's bowling average is defined as the total number of runs conceded by the bowlers divided by the number of wickets taken by the bowler, so the lower the average the better. It is similar to earned...
of 33.67, taking five wickets in an innings three times.
Family
Harrison came from a cricketing family. Three of his brothers (DerryckDeryck Harrison
Deryck William Harrison is an Irish former cricketer. A right-handed batsman, he played eleven times for the Ireland cricket team between 1978 and 1980, including two first-class matches and one List A match.-Playing career:Harrison made his debut for Ireland against Denmark in July 1978 and made...
, Jim
Jim Harrison (cricketer)
James "Jim" Harrison is an Irish former cricketer. A right-handed batsman, he played 32 times for the Ireland cricket team between 1969 and 1977, including eight first-class matches against Scotland....
and Roy
Roy Harrison
Roy Harrison is an Irish former cricketer. A right-handed batsman and right-arm medium pace bowler, he played three times for the Ireland cricket team between 1967 and 1968 including one first-class match.-Playing career:Harrison made his debut for Ireland against Worcestershire in Dublin in June...
) all played for Ireland, as did his brother-in-law Eddie Bushe
Eddie Bushe
Edwin Alexander "Eddie" Bushe is a former Irish cricketer. A right-handed batsman and wicket-keeper, he made his debut for Ireland in July 1979 against Scotland. He went on to play for Ireland on six occasions, his last match also against Scotland in August 1980. Two of his matches had first-class...
and his nephew Jonathan Bushe
Jonathan Bushe
Jonathan Alexander Bushe is an Irish cricketer. He is a left-handed batsman and a wicket-keeper.He played for the Ireland Under-19 team at the 1998 Under-19 World Cup, before making his debut for the Ireland senior team against Scotland in June 1998...
.