Farewell to Harmison

posted by John Winn

Readers may have seen press coverage of the announcement by Steve Harmison of his retirement from the game. Neither shocked nor surprised is likely to be most people's reaction for he has played no cricket in 2013 and his record for championship cricket in 2012 can only be found as 'also bowled'. To find this you would have to look under two counties for in addition to three games for Durham he played the same number for Yorkshire, a loan spell that was terminated by injury but rather characterised by some of his trademark waywardness. On his debut for the white rose his five overs included five wides and went for 25 runs. Things did improve and in terms of wickets his loan spell for Yorkshire was more fruitful than his contribution  for Durham.

It would be sad though  if people's memories of a man who stands high on England's list of wicket takers were only of balls that didn't pitch on the cut strip, especially the infamous one that began the 2006-7 series in Australia. There may even be those who read this who actually witnessed his 7 for 12 in Jamaica 2004 and many will recall the delivery that dismissed Kasprowicz to settle one of the most exciting tests ever, at Edgbaston in 2005.

My introduction to Steve Harmison was a rather strange one and in some ways characterised the man. It was on a very hot day in August 1997 when I called in to see Sussex II v Durham II at Hove, the second day of a second eleven championship match. Durham, having been bowled out for 243 on the first day were finding it hard going trying to break a partnership between James Pyemont and Mike Yardy. Harmison had bowled five overs without reward and conceded 27 runs. In so doing he had sustained an injury(sic) that prevented him bowling any more in the innings but allowed him to remain on the field. Hampered by his back and never the best of ground fielders Harmison did not distinguish himself that day at Hove.

I left the ground to find I had a puncture and doubt very much that I mentally filed S.J Harmison as one for the future. How wrong I was and how soon I saw why Durham had plucked this gangly youth from league cricket, for the following April I was at The Riverside to see his home championship debut against Gloucestershire.After a first day washout and in typical North East April conditions SJH unsettled Gloucestershire with four wickets before lunch and completed his five wicket haul with that of Jack Russell who had led an afternoon revival. Harmison finished the season with 49 wickets, second to John Wood. The next few years can probably be filed under  history.

The scorecard for that sunny day at Hove throws up some interesting names. I have already mentioned Mike Yardy but Sussex also included one Matt Prior, but not behind the stumps and Nicky Phillips, later to play for Durham and who I saw this season playing for Northumberland. Durham were captained by Nick Speak who went on to lead  the first team and Neil Killeen, now a member of Durham's coaching staff. Finally looking at the Durham XI from the April day at The Riverside it was captained by David Boon and included three future captains, Jon Lewis, Nick Speak and Paul Collingwood and one who had already sipped from what in those days was a poisoned chalice, Mike Roseberry.