Is Harmison back on track?
Brydon Coverdale
25-Feb-2013
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Steve James in the Daily Telegraph looks at what role Steve Harmison can play in England's future.
Harmison's progress from now on will be intriguing. He has been copping flak from all directions. But I was impressed by an interview he gave before Durham's first Friends Provident Trophy match of the season against Yorkshire. Too often he has not helped himself in such situations, speaking over-emotionally and appearing to rid himself of cricketing responsibility. But here he was upbeat and clear. "I wouldn't be playing for Durham if I did not think I could play for England," he said cheerfully and defiantly.
It was a good comment for two reasons. Firstly there are too many cricketers playing out time in county cricket with no ambition to play for England. There is, of course, a vital balance to be struck between experience and youth in any team, let alone a county side, but that should not be confused with the pointless tending of dead wood. Secondly, such a long-term scenario is a much-discussed worry - albeit mostly in private - about Harmison now. Will he cruise until the end of his central contract in September and then head for the easy road with Durham thereafter?
Brydon Coverdale is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. He tweets here