IF Chris Harris should ever come to write his autobiography, he might consider a special chapter on 24 hours in the life of a professional cricketer.

It would make interesting reading.

Around 8pm local time on Saturday night, he was boarding a London-bound plane in Bermuda, after just finishing a game for New Zealand.

A lengthy jet-lagged flight, followed by a horrendous five and a half hour car journey north via traffic-jammed motorways, saw Ramsbottom's popular Kiwi pro arrive at Acre Bottom just FOUR minutes before the start of their Jennings Worsley Cup first round tie against Rishton.

Even Superman might have struggled to pop into a nearby telephone kiosk to change from Clark Kent.

But Harris, who had stayed in touch with anxious Ramsbottom officials by mobile phone, shrugged off his travel weariness to ensure that the services of the standby-man Peter Sleep were not needed and turned in a match-winning performance. He posted the game's top score with the bat, bowled a marathon stint of 21 marvellously economical overs, capturing three important wickets in the process, and held a brilliant slip catch.

All-rounders? They don't come any better than Harris, as he inspired Ramsbottom to comprehensively outplay a Rishton side who gave the impression that it was they who were suffering from jet lag.

"It was a nightmare. We actually landed 25 minutes early, but after getting out of the airport and through Birmingham there had been an accident on the motorway and we were held up for one and a half to two hours," he said.

"How do I feel? A bit tired and my leg's a bit sore but not too bad.

"Anyway, I would rather play than watch and we've made a decent total. Hopefully we can defend it," he explained, snatching some welcome refreshment during the tea interval.

There was never really much doubt that Ramsbottom would be able to defend their respectable 169 for nine on a wicket that was not conducive to free scoring. Rishton have made a huge financial investment in pace bowling with the signing of Allan Donald.

But the league champions have suddenly discovered that their batting is bankrupt.

And, once skipper John Wharton and the dogged and determined Andy Bartley had gone at 54 for five, the game was up for them.

If more players had shown the attitude of Bartley, stumped by the quicksilver Jack Simpson in a hairline decision, Rishton might have made a better show of it than their paltry 93 all out.

But they never looked comfortable against the twin attack of Harris and the excellent Nick Riley who thoroughly deserved his collection.

Rishton were caught napping early in the Ramsbottom innings when they put three chances down, but superb application right down the order saw the home team recover from 105 for five to reach respectability.

It looked a good score, against an attack including Donald and a five-wicket performance from Robbie Walsh.

And so it proved as Ramsbottom cantered to victory. They were almost always in command against a side whose runs have dried up.

It was such an easy win in the end that a glum-faced Rishton official confessed: "We should have put a cross in the box for no publicity!" Harris retired to a well-earned night's sleep, while Rishton reflected on something of a nightmare.

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