From the emergency room to the cricket pitch
December 19, 2017
FROM the emergency room to the cricket pitch, Laura Harris’ life has never been far from action.
The Brisbane Heat star doesn’t have the luxury of dedicating endless hours to improve her skills with bat in hand, because like many of the Women’s Big Bash League players, Harris is forced to juggle full-time employment alongside her cricketing career.
While the heavy work schedule undoubtedly tests Harris, no one is more equipped to deal with the hardships of life than an emergency room nurse.
The unpredictable nature of her job is a daunting proposition, but one she thoroughly enjoys.
“I’ve loved nursing from the day I started,” Harris said.
“I always enjoyed it because I like people and I like helping and looking after them.”
The 27-year-old has spent seven years in the role, combatting daily challenges.
“It’s pretty much entirely hands on,” Harris said.
“It can be anything from a cut toe nail to a full on [cardiac] arrest – it’s just whatever walks through the door.
“There has been lots of life or death situations … but it’s always relatively well controlled.”
While Harris’ attitude towards life is admirable, the constant demands are undoubtedly difficult to manage.
“I think I have a pretty relaxed nature … so it’s not the job so much which is stressful,” she said.
“It’s just trying to fit everything in with the job as well like cricket, family life and social life.”
And Harris’ family is all too relevant when it comes to her rise as a cricketer.
After taking a break in her teenage years, she stumbled across her second chance at the sport, claiming a sisterhood rivalry was a major factor in her return to the game.
Harris made her domestic debut for Queensland Fire alongside younger sister Grace, but originally joined an opposing local club to take on her namesake.
“It was purely just for a muck around to see who grandpa would go for,” she said.
In 2015/16, the first season of the WBBL, Harris was granted an opportunity on the Heat’s roster, joining her sister as an injury replacement player.
Putting her bowling aside to focus on batting in the middle order, Harris thrived, and three seasons later continues to close out matches for Brisbane.
Ironically, Grace was traded to the Melbourne Renegades for WBBL02, with the sisters’ rivalry reinvigorated.
To Laura’s despair, Grace took last seasons bragging rights with a Renegades win, as Laura fell for a duck.
But growing up, professional cricket was never a full-time option for Harris, thus, her dream wasn’t to reach the top-level.
“I sort of just happened to land where I did, but it’s great we can do what we do, and how far cricket has come in the couple of years that I’ve played,” she said.
“To be honest, I always thought I was more of a soccer player.”
The talented athlete’s round-ball ability shouldn’t be undermined, formerly captaining the Eastern Suburbs Football Club in Brisbane.
“Growing up I was always soccer or tennis, but since coming back I have really enjoyed playing cricket,” Harris said.
With many doors open in Harris’ life, she credits the role nursing has played in her cricketing development.
“I think a lot of it is about being controlled in most situations,” she said.
“A lot of [the work experiences] have helped [my cricket], and I think to an extent I’m someone who has always been relatively calm.”
No occasion overawes Harris, so while relaxed at the crease, she should build on her average of 9.90 in the latter part of the WBBL tournament.