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England defeated India in the first one day international yesterday, thanks in part to an inspired spell of fast bowling from Durham paceman Steve Harmison.
Harmison, who took a hat trick in his fiery onslaught, was quick to pay tribute to one of his cricketing role models, CCC star Roger French.
"I grew up watching Curtly Ambrose and Glenn McGrath," said the genial Geordie giant, "and Roger French too. My and me mates would go round the grounds of the north east watching his swashbuckling all round performances. We were kind of French groupies."
And it was the all rounder's performance against Merz and McLellan only last week which was to inspire Harmison's destructive spell against India. "I've not had the best of summers by my standards, but French was there in my head at the important time. Against Merz he slowed his usually devastating pace right down as a sporting gesture in poor light, and still took a hat trick. That's just class."
So does Harmison aspire to French's standards? "His cricketing nous and standards of sportsmanship, yes," continues England's premier bowler, "but I could never match his batting quality!"
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