Simon Harmer, the South African off-spinner who has taken more County Championship wickets than anyone else since 2017, has opened up about his decade in English cricket, the mental battles on the field, and the structural issues within the county system.
From Kolpak to King of County Cricket
Harmer arrived at Essex in 2017 on a six-month Kolpak deal after drifting out of South Africa's Test side following just five appearances. He quickly became a linchpin for Essex, taking 72 wickets at 19.19 in his debut season, helping the club secure its first County Championship title in 25 years. Since then, he has amassed 522 first-class wickets for Essex, won two Championship titles, a Bob Willis Trophy, and earned a return to South Africa's Test team. Reflecting on his journey, Harmer says, "My journey has been bumpy. I can say now that I'm at peace with it."
The Art of Dismissal
Harmer is known for his analytical approach to bowling. "I love working out a batter," he explains. "What's he looking to do, where is he looking to score, what's easy, what's difficult, what field will get me a wicket? I love all that. That is the art for me." This mindset has made him one of the most effective spinners in the county game.
Critique of English Cricket
Harmer offers a candid assessment of the English cricket system. He believes that selection has shifted from rewarding consistent run-scoring to prioritizing style over substance. "I do feel selection has gone away from scoring a thousand runs in the County Championship for a couple of years, to 'it's not how many you score, it's how you score,'" he says. While he respects England's aggressive approach under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, he questions its sustainability in Test cricket, which he argues still rewards control and consistency.
On English spinners, Harmer is sympathetic. He notes that conditions often reduce them to support acts and that the system lacks proper spin-bowling coaching. "With 18 teams, there's definitely a place for mediocrity. There are loads of guys just plodding along, doing enough to keep their average contracts," he says. He also points to a lack of fight: "I think English cricketers don't always have that fight in them."
Global Cricket and South Africa
Harmer is equally blunt about the global game. He acknowledges India's dominance due to commercial power but admires the current South African side under Shukri Conrad and Temba Bavuma, which he says is "more than the sum of their parts." He appreciates Conrad's directness: "If he thinks you're shit, he'll tell you straight. I rate that."
Personal Growth and Future Plans
Harmer has mellowed with age, partly due to becoming a father nine months ago. He admits he was not always a good person on the field but now has little time for "dumb abuse." Looking ahead, he plans to retire in two seasons and pursue a career in law, having nearly completed a degree to become a barrister. "I have to be brave enough to go and be shit at something for the first time again," he says.
Despite the challenges, Harmer remains grateful for his journey. His advice to aspiring cricketers is simple: "Stop waiting around for the perfect situation. Get on a plane and go. That's all it took for me."
