Harmison vows to answer his critics
Steve Harmison has hit back at the critics - most recently Andrew Caddick - who have questioned his desire to play international cricket, and claims that he is ready to fight his way back into the Test team
Cricinfo staff
14-Apr-2008
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Harmison was dropped during last month's series in New Zealand following a lacklustre performance in the first Test at Hamilton, and in his absence England won both of the remaining Tests to win the series 2-1. But he remains centrally contracted until September, and at Chester-le-Street on Monday, he insisted he was not yet finished as an international force.
"I wouldn't play for Durham if I didn't think I would play for England," Harmison told reporters. "I can't stress it enough that I still want to play international cricket. This is definitely not the end of my England career - sometimes you have to take a step back before moving forward.
"And if that means me taking a step back and not playing Test cricket for the first part of this summer then OK. I have got to go back to basics a bit. I need to get back my consistency and the only way I'll get that is by playing cricket, taking wickets, and then I can put my hat back in the ring."
Seeing as he was speaking in the North-East, Harmison drew inspiration from two fellow professionals from the worlds of football and rugby - Newcastle United's Michael Owen and Newcastle Falcon's Jonny Wilkinson - both of whom have had to answer their critics of late.
"We have a culture of kicking people when they're down and there are a couple of North-East sportsmen not far from here in different sports who have had a horrendous time lately," said Harmison. "Seeing them come back spurs you on. They have spurred me and said to me 'keep knocking and I'll have my chance'."
"It is difficult for me at the moment because I am getting a lot of stick," Harmison said. "But the only way to answer that is by performing. People like to have a pop at me but I've got broad shoulders and I'll take it on the chin. They are having a field day and sticking in their 50 pence-worth. But the critics have had their turn - now I've got the chance to have my turn."