Harmison England doubt after withdrawal - Sport in brief - Evening Standard
       

Harmison England doubt after withdrawal

England fast bowler Steve Harmison will play no further part in Durham's LV County Championship match against Sussex at Horsham - increasing doubt over his fitness for the first Test against India.

Harmison, 28, reported a recurrence of his hernia problem on Friday after sending down five overs and will now be assessed by England's medical team ahead of the opener of the three-Test series at Lord's next week.

The injury first struck during the final match of the 3-0 npower series win over West Indies at the Riverside, however, Harmison hoped to battle through until the end of England's Test commitments this summer before undergoing surgery.

"It's too early to say whether he will play at Lord's," said Durham director of cricket Geoff Cook.

"A decision on his fitness will be made by the England medical team. He may have to have the operation earlier than scheduled."

Harmison has missed only four of England's previous 46 Tests, all four in a row after injuring his shin prior to the final Test against India in Mumbai last year.

Lancashire's James Anderson replaced him for that stunning series-levelling victory and will now almost certainly be included in the squad as back-up at the very least.

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