Steve Harmison's Biography
Although he has made his name as a cricketer, Steve Harmison is very keen on football. He is a fan of Newcastle United and trained with the Magpies before his excellent tour of the West Indies in 2004. He also played for Ashington in the Northern league.
Harmison, who played for Durham for 17 years, made his England debut against India in 2002
Before the Ashes 2005 series, the importance of Harmison's form to England was highlighted by his bowling average: when England won Harmison's average was just 22, when England lost it was 83.
In 2004 Steve Harmison was officially rated the best bowler in the world. The first time in twenty years an English bowler had achieved this accolade. Ashley Giles, Freddie Flintoff and Matthew Hoggard were also in the top 20
Harmison's tally of test wickets for 2004 was 67 - a record for an England bowler.In 2005 Steve Harmison said: "I feel I've got a nasty streak in me but it's when I'm in my cricket gear and have got the ball in my hand. I don't believe you frighten batsmen. You work them to your advantage ..."
Although Harmison was not one of England's mega-stars in their regaining the Ashes in 2005; nevertheless he played his part in what was a great team effort.
In the second Test against Pakistan in 2006, Steve Harmison took 11-76 making him the first man to take 10 wickets in an Old Trafford Test since Jim Laker 50 years ago. It was the first time Harmison had taken 10 or more wickets in a Test.
In 2007 and 2008, Steve Harmison lost his form and was eventually dropped by England, however he was recalled for the fourth Test against South Africa and Harmison played well.
Steve Harmison, who had not played for England since the Test against West Indies in February, was called up to the England squad for the second Test against Australia in July 2009 as cover for Andrew Flintoff. Harmison came in for the injured Flintoff in the fourth Test.
In October 2009, Steve Harmison was not selected for England's Test squad to tour South Africa.
In October 2013, Steve Harmison announced his retirement from cricket at the age of 34. In total he had taken 222 Test wickets.
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