Africa-Press – South-Africa. Simon Harmer unapologetically believes his career’s controversial choices are justified following a spectacular return to international cricket for the Proteas.
The 33-year-old off-spinner, making his first appearance in just over six years, guided South Africa to a dominant position in the first Test against Bangladesh at Kingsmead on Friday, taking all four wickets to fall following a career-best effort with the bat.
For almost five years, he was either vilified or admired for his decision to turn his back on South African cricket and sign a Kolpak agreement with Essex.
Yet once Brexit meant that door would have to be shut on him, the 33-year-old off-spinner came back, secured a contract with the Titans, and added immediate value by ending as the leading wicket-taker in the domestic 4-Day Series with 44 scalps.
Once the national selection panel, laudably, showed their willingness to let bygones be bygones, Harmer could focus again on reviving his career at the highest level.
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“There’s definitely a feeling of vindication,” Harmer said after his excellent all-round day.
“There are still questions if I’m good enough for international cricket. Yes, I’ve done it for Essex and come back to the Titans and taken wickets this season. But am I still good enough for international cricket?
“Four wickets don’t quite say that I am, but coming back and putting in a performance, just for my own self-belief, has been good.”
There can be little doubt that the initial Kolpak pain has turned, if somewhat unexpectedly, into the Proteas’ gain as Harmer has become a far more rounded cricketer.
How can he not when it’s considered he’s taken 426 first-class wickets in between his international appearances and played instrumental roles in his respective teams winning 5 titles?
“Essex gave me the platform as a Kolpak to find myself again. I had gone there on the back of being dropped for SA and SA ‘A’ and not knowing if I’d get another franchise contract,” said Harmer.
“I had a lot of self-doubt and Essex gave me the opportunity to discover what made me successful, but I also learned to be a match-winner for them and getting comfortable with that role.
“The more I started to do it, the more I started to believe. That’s added a lot to my game. I’d single out that.
“I had my reasons for signing, I can’t speak for anyone else. For me, it was about opportunity. There was a lot of media attention about how lucrative County cricket etc., but for me, it was about playing.
“I was only playing one format for the Warriors when I left and then suddenly played all three in England. That’s what it was about.”
That single-mindedness meant he could brush off the criticism.
“I was painted with the same brush as everyone else [who had reasons like financial security and general uncertainty] and that’s fine.
“At the end of the day, the real currency is wickets and good performances and trophies. I put my blinkers on and tried just to achieve those three things.”
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