Yorkshire loanee Harmison admits: I could go if I'm not wanted at Durham (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Yorkshire loanee Steve Harmison admits: I could go if I'm not wanted at Durham

7:32pm Wednesday 11th July 2012 in Yorkshire By Chris Parrott

Steve Harmison revealed he hasn’t ruled out leaving Durham on a permanent basis if he can’t force his way back into the county’s plans.

However, ahead of his Yorkshire debut at Hampshire this week, the on-loan fast bowler insists he still has a “burning desire” to be successful at the Riverside.

Speaking today, the former England star was asked whether his future might lie away from the north-east if he continues to be on the fringes of the Durham first-team.

He answered: “Possibly, yeah, but there’s other things going on.

“I still want to play cricket for Durham. I still have the burning desire and the hunger to play cricket for my home county.”

Harmison’s future at the Riverside has been called into question ever since his one-month move to Headingley was announced at the weekend.

He’s only played three first-team matches for Durham in 2012, and it was also notable that his departure came within days of Paul Collingwood being named as the county’s new captain.

As someone who is proud of his north-east heritage, the two-time Ashes winner said that it does feel strange to be playing cricket for another team.

He admitted: “I’ve done a few things this year that I didn’t foresee myself doing in the cricketing world.

“I’ve played a lot of second-team cricket and now I’m playing for Yorkshire! I guess they say it’s a funny game and a funny world.

“I feel like I’m a proud man and an honest person though, so if I’ve got a shirt on that has given me the chance to play, I’ll do everything I possibly can for that chance.

“I’ve not played cricket for two years properly and it’s frightening how much you miss it.”

That sense of annoyance is unlikely to have been lifted after today’s events on the south-coast.

Harmison did have plenty of time to get acquainted with his new team-mates though.

They spent the day cooped up together in the dressing room after rain washed out the first day of their latest LV= County Championship fixture.