Paul Harris announces retirement

@Neville Smeda: Sounds like you really know your South African cricket. South Africa's problem in unearthing and in producing good spinners is due to a few reasons: 1) A tradition of preparing pitches that necessitates SA's continual nurturing of pace bowlers. 2) Not having spin bowling coaches of the likes of a Terry Jenner in their ranks. (Why isnt Richard McGlashan involved?) 3) Not encouraging wrist spin bowling in their academies or in their grass roots levels. I once remember seeing a young wrist spinner in the nets on the south coast that could turn the ball a mile! The kid was double jointed too. (A la Murali) Sadly, I overheard the captain in the background talking about fielding an all pace attack instead. Hopefully with Kirsten at the helm and less politics, SA can finally look beyond their blinkers. *Please post Cricinfo.*

This is a shame. There have been plenty of people on this site who have indulged in Paul Harris bashing and many batsmen over the years have underestimated him. But he was a decent left arm spinner. Although he didn't turn it much, or at all, he was very accurate and did a great job for us. He bowled a lot of overs with good control mostly so our guns could have a rest. Played a massive part in our 2008 away wins in Eng (KP will still be kicking himself for getting out to him) and Aus (Andrew Symmonds , should have kept your mouth closed!) but fell out of favour when Tahir arived on the scene. Add into the mix his hilarious running style and barnet and he was good value! i only hope SA cricket can retain his expertise in some sort of form for the next generation. All of the best Paul Harris.

I loved Paul Harris just for that fact that whenever opposition batsmen tried to bat him out of the attack he got them out. He was a decent bowler even if he wasn't a wicket taker. Unfortunately when a team just wanted to occupy the crease he was rendered harmless, contributing to England surviving with 1 wicket left in SA twice!