Harmison available for start of domestic season

By Jon Steer
March 31 2005

The ECB have announced that Steve Harmison will be allowed to play first class cricket for Durham from the beginning of April up until the build up for the Bangladesh tour which starts near the end of May. He will also be available for C&G games, but not for National League games.

Harmison played in no first class games for Durham last season and just one National League game so his return to the Riverside will be a happy day for him and the fans who are keen to see Durham do well.

Last night Harmison was celebrating after winning the Sport Newcastle Sport Personality of the Year prize. The Sport Newcastle secretary Malcolm Dix highlighted Steve's love for Newcastle United and his role as an ambassador for the city.

Speaking earlier this week Michael Vaughan again backed Harmison to return to his best form this Summer, he pointed to the season start with Durham and the Bangladesh series as important stepping stones before the all important Ashes series.

Also speaking this week was former Durham player and coach David Boon. He has said that he is keen to fit in time to catch up with everyone at the Riverside during the Ashes series and still describes his time with Durham as among the most memorable periods of his career. The best memory of his time at Durham was the celebrations when Durham won a place in the first division when the two tier system came into force.

Boon also praised Harmison and Collingwood and their achievements with the England team and recalls seeing the enormous potential that both had while he was at Durham.