Harmison out for rest of season

There won't be any more action for Steve Harmison this season © Getty Images Enlarge

Steve Harmison has been ruled out for the rest for the season with the back injury he picked up during Durham's County Championship match against Surrey last week.

He missed the Friends Provident final and now faces six to eight weeks further rehabilitation as he tries to regain fitness for England's Test series in Sri Lanka in December. The England squad will fly out to Sri Lanka in late November and the ECB said the team management will consider ways of Harmison playing some cricket before the tour.

"Scans confirmed Harmison has a muscle tear in his right lower back," said the ECB. "Harmison will continue to undergo rehabilitation treatment under the guidance of the ECB and Durham medical teams. The England team management will consider opportunities for Harmison to play cricket in the lead up to the Test tour of Sri Lanka in November."

Harmison's back injury came three matches into his comeback following surgery for a hernia which he picked up during the series against West Indies. Harmison has enjoyed impressive returns from the six Championship matches he has played this season, with 32 wickets at 16 a key reason why Durham are still challenging for the title.