Steve Harmison: going under the knife © Getty Images Enlarge

Steve Harmison is set to undergo surgery for a "non-serious hernia" problem, according to the England & Wales Cricket Board. However, an ECB spokesman said the timing of the operation had still to be decided and stressed that Harmison's ability to bowl was not being affected.

Harmison, who has struggled for rhythm throughout the series against West Indies, took the field on Tuesday for the last day of the fourth and final Test at Chester-le-Street. Durham are due to take on Essex in the semi-final of the Friends Provident Trophy on Wednesday, although a decision on his availability will be made at the end of the match.

"Stephen Harmison has a non-serious hernia that will require surgery at some stage. It is not currently affecting his bowling and the timing of surgery will be decided by the ECB medical team," said the spokesman.

Harmison, 28, retired from one-day international cricket during England's Ashes tour of Australia and therefore he was never in contention for the series of two Twenty20 matches and three ODIs against West Indies that get underway at The Oval on June 28.

England's first Test against India starts at Lord's on July 19. Given that the average recovery period from hernia surgery is six weeks, this suggests Harmison would have to have an operation as soon as possible to maximise his chances of being available for the whole of the three-Test series.