'I want to go to the World Cup with England and win it'
Harry Gurney on his first England shirt, the biggest joker in the Notts dressing room, and the best fast food
Interview by Jack Wilson
17-Aug-2014
"I enjoy playing T20 the most" • Getty Images
Assess your England career to now.
Very enjoyable and very humbling. It's with a great deal of pride that I'm playing for my country. I'm desperate for it to continue for far longer.
Very enjoyable and very humbling. It's with a great deal of pride that I'm playing for my country. I'm desperate for it to continue for far longer.
You have played a lot of short-form cricket for England. What are your ambitions?
I'd love to play Tests one day. That would be massive for me - but my ambitions are more short term. I want to go to the World Cup with England in Australia and New Zealand next year and win it.
I'd love to play Tests one day. That would be massive for me - but my ambitions are more short term. I want to go to the World Cup with England in Australia and New Zealand next year and win it.
At the start of the 2009 season, you had to win back a contract at Leicestershire having been dumped by them. Now you are an England regular. It has been some turnaround, hasn't it?
It has. It was one of those moments where I had to swallow my pride a little bit. They decided I had to come back and earn a contract. I just got my head down and worked hard.
It has. It was one of those moments where I had to swallow my pride a little bit. They decided I had to come back and earn a contract. I just got my head down and worked hard.
You are one of a number of players to swap Leicestershire for Nottinghamshire. What problems do they have keeping their top talent?
At the moment it's difficult for them to attract players. That's the main problem. But the complaint that players leave for more money elsewhere and that's why they're going is rubbish. That's not true at all.
At the moment it's difficult for them to attract players. That's the main problem. But the complaint that players leave for more money elsewhere and that's why they're going is rubbish. That's not true at all.
Where is your first England shirt?
It's tucked away with all my others but I'll get it framed. I'm not massive on mementos, although I do have all the balls I've taken five-fors with, a ball I took a hat-trick with, and the shirt I wore when we won the CB40 final.
It's tucked away with all my others but I'll get it framed. I'm not massive on mementos, although I do have all the balls I've taken five-fors with, a ball I took a hat-trick with, and the shirt I wore when we won the CB40 final.
Which format of the game is most enjoyable to play?
I enjoy playing T20 the most. You get to play in front of good crowds week in, week out. But, saying that, celebrating a good four-day win is the most satisfying thing in domestic cricket.
I enjoy playing T20 the most. You get to play in front of good crowds week in, week out. But, saying that, celebrating a good four-day win is the most satisfying thing in domestic cricket.
Who is the greatest left-armer to have ever played the game?
Before I answer this, I'd like to say my knowledge of the history of cricket is absolutely abysmal!
Before I answer this, I'd like to say my knowledge of the history of cricket is absolutely abysmal!
Let's change the question. Who is the best you have seen?
The one I've enjoyed watching the most is Ryan Sidebottom. He's been tremendous.
The one I've enjoyed watching the most is Ryan Sidebottom. He's been tremendous.
Describe your batting in one word.
Destructive.
Destructive.
Do you enjoy batting?
Well, that depends. If the bowler is bowling less than 85mph then yes. If it's above 85mph, I'd say no. I work on my batting a lot in training.
Well, that depends. If the bowler is bowling less than 85mph then yes. If it's above 85mph, I'd say no. I work on my batting a lot in training.
What is the secret to bowling the perfect yorker?
Practice, simple as that.
Practice, simple as that.
Who is the best lookalike in the Nottinghamshire dressing room?
James Taylor - he looks like Barry Manilow.
James Taylor - he looks like Barry Manilow.
"Celebrating a good four-day win is the most satisfying thing in domestic cricket"
Who is the biggest joker?
Luke Fletcher. He's always messing around, chucking stuff off the balcony and winding up the gaffer [Mick Newell].
Luke Fletcher. He's always messing around, chucking stuff off the balcony and winding up the gaffer [Mick Newell].
Who is the the most intelligent?
Well, that's me by a country mile.
Well, that's me by a country mile.
And the least intelligent?
I could name five who haven't got any GCSEs.
I could name five who haven't got any GCSEs.
Name one.
Samit Patel.
Samit Patel.
Who eats the most at teatime?
Again, Samit Patel.
Again, Samit Patel.
Who was your childhood hero?
Cricketing-wise, Dale Steyn.
Cricketing-wise, Dale Steyn.
What is the best meat to have in a roast dinner?
I'd have to say I'm a chicken man myself. Yep, chicken - but breast, not leg.
I'd have to say I'm a chicken man myself. Yep, chicken - but breast, not leg.
And the best fast food?
It's between two. It'd have to be a Big Mac meal from McDonald's or an Italian BMT from Subway.
It's between two. It'd have to be a Big Mac meal from McDonald's or an Italian BMT from Subway.
On a night out, how long would it take you to mention you are a cricketer?
Getting me on a night out occurs once in a blue moon. But on the rare occasion I do, I never mention it!
Getting me on a night out occurs once in a blue moon. But on the rare occasion I do, I never mention it!