Harmison joins Yorkshire for loan spell

By Graham Hardcastle

Steve Harmison’s loan from Durham to Yorkshire has been confirmed. The former England fast bowler moves to Headingley for an initial month’s period with immediate effect.

The 33-year-old is in line to make his debut in Wednesday’s County Championship Division Two clash with Hampshire, although Durham have the option to recall the player in the event of an injury or international call-up to one of their other bowlers.

Harmison said: “It’s been a frustrating first half of the season, and I don’t want to be playing second-team cricket. I’m pleased that I can be helpful to Yorkshire when they are struggling with their senior bowlers, and I’m looking forward to Wednesday.”

Yorkshire’s director of professional cricket Martyn Moxon added: “We’re pleased that Durham and Stephen have agreed to the loan providing us with cover for the likely absences caused by Ryan Sidebottom’s calf injury and unavailability of Mitchell Starc. Steve still has a great presence on the field, and we look forward to welcoming him into the Yorkshire dressing room.”

A two-time Ashes winner and once rated as the world’s number one bowler, Harmison’s first-team appearances for Durham in 2012 have been limited due to injury and lack of form. He has only played three Championship matches, taking six wickets, and has not played in the ongoing Friends Life t20.

Sidebottom is due to be on the sidelines for the rest of the month with a calf strain, making him unavailable for up to four Championship matches and a t20 quarter-final, while Starc will miss the next two Championship outings against Hampshire and Derbyshire at Chesterfield due to commitments with Australia A.

Moin Ashraf has put himself in contention to make his first four-day appearance of the season with an impressive run in t20 cricket. But Yorkshire, who made Oliver Hannon-Dalby available for loan earlier this week, need some more experience.

Meanwhile, Yorkshire have offered a new contract to vice-captain Joe Sayers despite him being out of the first-team reckoning. Sayers lost his place at the top of the order to Adam Lyth after playing in the first five Championship matches of the season, making a top score of only 45.

The inclement weather has not helped his push for a recall, with last week’s Second XI Championship and one-day Trophy matches against Derbyshire washed out without a ball bowled. Sayers is expected to sign the new deal.


Date: 07/07/2012 13:26:05 by Graham Hardcastle
In: Yorkshire | Today | Durham |