Harris raring to spin

Pretoria - Proteas left-arm spinner Paul Harris is relishing the chance to take on the cream of club cricket players at this year's National Club Championship, starting on Sunday in Pretoria.

Harris will be part of the Gunn and Moore Old Edwardians squad, the champions of the Gauteng Premiership League, in his first club cricket outing in almost three years.

"This will be my first match for Old Eds on Sunday, and I am looking forward to it. I don't really have much time to play club cricket during the season so this will be a wonderful opportunity to see the talent on the club scene, and to experience some quality club rivalry," he said.

Harris is in his first season with Old Eds, since joining the bizhub Highveld Lions, and played for Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) when at the Nashua Titans.

The Gauteng side begin their tournament against Impala Platinum from the North West, and may well be strong contenders to bring silverware to the province after the University of Johannesburg last won the title in 2008.

Defending Champions, Toshiba Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) play Old Mutual Police in their first match and will feature a host of the players who were instrumental in Eastern Province's three-day success last season.

Piet van Biljon, last season's CSA Student Cricketer of the Year, will captain the side that also include talented batsmen Kelly Smuts, David White, Colin Ackermann and a striking line-up with the ball including Reece Williams, Matthew Kennedy, Simon Harmer and Corbyn Dolley.

The Championship, which is running for the 23rd year, is the curtain-raiser for South Africa's domestic season, which gets underway at the end of September, and gives a promising outlook to the rising talent making its way this coming season.

Fixtures:

Sunday, September 19:

Gunn and Moore Old Edwardian v Impala Platinum Limited, Hofmeyr Park
Free State University v PHSOB (Pretoria High School Old Boys), TUT Oval
De Beers Burma Lads v SDL Brackenfell, Mamelodi Oval
Colin's Motors Old Selbornians v CSP Crusaders, Sinovich Park
Union Stars v Sportworx Kempton Park, Laudium Oval
Old Mutual Police v Tishiba NMMU, Irene Country Club