Chris Harris silences critics with 105

CARYS MONTEATH/The Press

VETERAN'S DAY: The evergreen Chris Harris scored 105 for Canterbury at QEII's Village Green.

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The ageless Chris Harris answered those who felt his return to Canterbury's four-day team was a retrograde step with a memorable century at QEII Park yesterday.

At 40, his selection in the side to play Auckland had not met with universal approval. But such was the quality of the former international's performance that the Canterbury selectors have no option but to make him a fixture in theteam.

"I was actually a bit more nervous than normal, because my last four-dayer was in 2007. I guess I was nervous because I wanted so desperately to perform, so I put a little bit of pressure on myself," Harris said after his knock of 105.

He made a conscientious decision to be positive when his innings began on Tuesday afternoon, getting to 83 not out by the close of play, before enduring a sleepness night.

"I didn't get a lot, because I've got [new-born] twins at home, but I got more than my wife."

He resumed yesterday and quickly brought up a milestone which should silence those who felt a younger man should have been playing instead.

"That's why I felt a little bit under pressure, because you feel as though you might be taking the opportunity of a younger person. But at the end of the day I still love playing and you pick the best players for the team and if the selectors see me as one of the best players, then I want to play.

"If I lose interest, then I won't play, but I don't feel like that will be any time soon. Hopefully I've put some of the critics' comments to rest."

In doing so Harris became the oldest player to score a hundred in New Zealand first-class cricket since 43-year-old Jack Newman made 112 in 1927. Harris is also the only over-40 to appear in a first-class match since Wayne Blair played for Otago in the 1990/91 season. Bevan Congdon, in the summer of 1977/78, was the last Canterbury player of that vintage, according to Canterbury statistician Euan West.

Auckland finished yesterday on 157 for two in reply to Canterbury's 540.

- © Fairfax NZ News