News

Harmison concern for Durham

Steve Harmison has suffered a setback in his race to be fit for Saturday's Friends Provident Trophy final against Hampshire at Lord's

Cricinfo staff
15-Aug-2007
Steve Harmison has suffered a setback in his race to be fit for Saturday's Friends Provident Trophy final against Hampshire at Lord's, after pulling up with a stiff back during Durham's championship fixture against Surrey at Chester-le-Street.
Harmison missed England's recent Test series against India after undergoing a hernia operation, but he seemed to be coming back to fitness when he had a gentle workout against Sri Lanka A last week, followed by a full part in Durham's three-wicket Pro40 defeat against Kent at Canterbury on Sunday.
However, the after-effects of that match appear to have caught up with him, for the moment at least. The Durham squad returned home from Kent at 2.30am, and then began their Championship match a mere eight-and-a-half hours later. Harmison bowled seven overs on the first evening, taking one wicket, but managed just two more on Tuesday morning.
"He has got a bit of a stiff back and we're having it checked out," said Durham's coach Geoff Cook. "He won't take any part today [Wednesday], but we still hope he can bowl tomorrow."
  • A limited number of tickets are still available for the Friends Provident Trophy Final at Lord's between Durham and Hampshire on Saturday August 18. Tickets are priced £40 for adults and £10 for children under 16, and may be bought online via the Lord's ticket website at www.lords.org or by phone direct from the Ticket Office on 020 7432 1000.