Vitality Blast interview: Harrison Ward

22-year-old all-rounder Harrison Ward recently helped Oxfordshire to the National Counties T20 Final, and after featuring for the Sharks at Finals Day in 2021, is eager to help the team push on for years to come.

Ward is one of Sussex’s young homegrown players that is beginning to make a name for himself in the first team. Following on from his superb 84 in the National Counties T20 Final, Ward was brought into the Sharks team and wasted no time making his mark.

After beating reigning champions Kent at Hove, Sussex travelled to Taunton to face the undefeated Somerset and it was Ward who brought the victory home for the Sharks, smashing 23 runs from just 5 balls to complete the chase.

“Last year I had a taste for the Blast at Finals Day last year, I didn’t do as well as I wanted to but this year it’s been great to come in and help the team win games of cricket.

“It was incredible to be a part of (Finals Day), I used to go to those kind of games as a kid with my mum so it was a dream come true. It’s the biggest event in the domestic cricket calendar for me and it’s where you want to be as a player, playing in those big games.”

The experience of lifting the National Counties T20 title alongside Sussex teammate James Coles is one that Ward believes will prove invaluable as his career progresses.

“It was a massive opportunity for me to go there and play a leading part in the team, obviously at Sussex I am one of the younger players, so to go and make 84 in the final gives me confidence that I can come back to Hove and play a mature innings when it matters most.”

Once again, the Sharks squad boasts overseas signings of the highest calibre and with Rashid Khan back for a fourth season alongside Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan, Ward is delighted to be able to play with and watch both cricketers in action.

“It’s remarkable really. If you look at the T20 players around the world, you’ll struggle to find two players better than Rash and Riz. It’s great to be able to learn off them both daily, but it’s also a pleasure to watch them play.”