James Harris elected Professional Cricketers' Association chair

The Middlesex all-rounder will replace Daryl Mitchell who will step down on February 25 after completing his four-year term

Middlesex’s James Harris has been elected by the PCA Player’s Committee as its new chair, following a voting process involving the 18 first-class counties and the England Women’s squad.

The bowling all-rounder will replace Worcestershire batsman, Daryl Mitchell, who will step down at the PCA annual general meeting on February 25 after completing his four-year term.

Harris, who has been Middlesex’s Player Committee representative since 2017 and spent the past 12 months serving as Mitchell’s vice-chair alongside Heather Knight, is the 15th PCA chair and the first from Middlesex. The Welshman will serve as chair until 2023, when he will be eligible for re-election for his final two-year term.

The 30-year old joined Middlesex in 2013 and has also played for his native Glamorgan, where he made in first-class debut in 2007, and Kent (2017) over the course of his career. In 270 professional appearances, he has taken 630 wickets and scored 4,443 runs.

Commenting on his appointment, Harris said: "It’s a great honour to become the 15th Chair of the PCA and I am both humbled and grateful for the support I have received from the Players’ Committee. Daryl Mitchell has done a fantastic job and I’d like to thank him on behalf of the players for everything that he has achieved as PCA Chair.

^{The 30-year old replaces Worcestershire's Daryl Mitchell as PCA chair}

"I’m looking forward to getting stuck into the role, tackling the current challenges the game is facing, while ensuring that the PCA remains a leading player association for the benefit of all our members, past and present."

PCA chief executive, Rob Lynch, praised Harris’ experience while also commenting on Mitchell’s successful tenure.

"James’ CV speaks for itself, both in terms of his on-field experience and the work he has put in off the pitch to help the game thrive," he said. "He is widely respected amongst his colleagues and is very aware from his time as our vice chair of the strategic objectives, goals and vision we have set out for the future in the PCA.

"I am looking forward to working even closer with James at a crucial time for players as we support our members through to the end of this pandemic and start to look towards a brighter future.

"I would also like to place on record my thanks to outgoing chair, Daryl Mitchell, as he completes his four years in the role. Daryl’s contribution to the Association over the past four years has been nothing short of phenomenal, and he has proved to be a leading voice on key player issues within the game during his tenure as chair of the PCA."

Meanwhile, PCA non-executive chairman, Julian Metherell, added: "I am delighted that our members have elected James to succeed Daryl as Chair of the PCA. James has a deep knowledge of the game which led to his appointment to the PCA Board as Vice Chair last year.

"I would also like to record my thanks to Daryl for his outstanding leadership of the PCA. He has played a pivotal role in many of the issues the PCA has addressed over the last four years, not least the negotiation of the County Partnership Agreement, The Hundred and the discussions with the ECB and the First Class Counties during the pandemic."