Harmison readied for hernia op
Harmison has endured a mixed summer
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Tuesday, 19, Jun 2007 09:58
Steve Harmison will undergo surgery to fix a "non-serious hernia" at some point this summer the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have announced.
The Durham fast bowler took two wickets on his home patch today as England wrapped up a 3-0 Test series win over the West Indies, but he admits that, although he can still bowl, the problem is preventing him generating his usual pace.
"I don't want to miss any Test matches, but I want to be able to bowl at 90 miles an hour, not 80. If I can get through until the end of the summer, that would be great," he said.
With his retirement from the international one-day game, the 28-year-old will not be required again by his country until the start of the Test series against India on July 19th.
However he is keen to put off the operation to play a part in his county's Friend Provident Trophy semi-final against Essex later this week and a possible domestic final at Lord's.
His scheduling may not fit with that of the England medical staff however, who would be eager to fill the window in international action with an estimated six-week recovery period.
With other pace options such as Andrew Flintoff ruled out of the opening Test with ankle trouble and Sajid Mahmood having similar hernia problems, head coach Peter Moores may well press Harmison to go under the knife sooner rather than later.
"The timing of the surgery will be decided by the England medical team. We haven't pulled him out of the semi-final yet," an ECB spokesperson said.