Simon Ross Harmer is a South African professional cricketer known as a right-arm off-break bowler and lower-order right-handed batsman who plays for South Africa and Essex County Cricket Club. Born on February 10, 1989, in Pretoria, Harmer has built a reputation as one of the most consistent spin bowlers in both domestic and international cricket.
Career Overview
Harmer began his first-class career with Eastern Province in 2009–10 before moving to the Warriors franchise, where he made an immediate impact. His domestic success earned him a Test debut for South Africa in January 2015 against the West Indies, where he impressed with his wicket-taking ability. After limited international opportunities, Harmer moved to England, joining Essex in 2017 as a Kolpak player. At Essex, he became one of county cricket’s most dominating bowlers, taking 72 wickets in his debut season at an average of 19.19 to help secure the County Championship. He was later named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2020.
Following the end of the Kolpak system, he returned to South African domestic and international cricket, rejoining the national Test team in 2022. As of 2025, he continues to play for both South Africa and Essex, recognized as a key wicket-taking force and a seasoned leader.
International Stats and Records
| Format | Matches | Wickets | BBF | Average |
| Test | 12 | 49 | 4/51 | 27.10 |
| ODI | 10 | 18 | 3/38 | 30.72 |
| T20I | 30 | 26 | 4/21 | 29.92 |
Domestic and County Records
Across formats, Harmer has been outstanding in the longer format. In first-class cricket, he has played 234 matches, taken 997 wickets at an average of 26.40 with best innings figures of 9/80, including 57 five-wicket hauls and 14 ten-wicket match hauls, testament to his dominance with the ball. With the bat, he has contributed over 6,500 runs, including two centuries and 33 fifties.
In County cricket, Harmer led Essex to multiple titles, topping wicket charts in several seasons and captaining the side to T20 Blast success in 2019, where his all-around performance (seven wickets on Finals Day) secured the trophy.
Career Highlights
- . Debuted for South Africa in 2015 vs West Indies.
- . Wisden Cricketer of the Year 2020 for Essex performances.
- . Over 990 first-class wickets and multiple County Championships with Essex.
- . Known for his control, consistency, and pivotal role in both red-ball and white-ball competitions globally.
Who is Wife ?
Simon Harmer, the South African off-spin bowler, is married to Chloe Paul. Harmer has kept his personal life relatively private, but reports confirm that Chloe was previously his long-term partner before the two married.
Also Read: Indian captains to lose debut match in all three formats
Net Worth
As of 2025, South African cricketer Simon Harmer’s net worth is estimated to be between 1 and 8 million US dollars, which is approximately ₹8–64 crore in Indian currency.
Simon Harmer remains a central figure in South African cricket, a dependable off-spinner with one of the most decorated domestic careers of his era.
