Harmy feels a need for speed as champs chase down rivals

May 23 2010 by Luke Edwards, Sunday Sun

STEVE Harmison has sent a chilling message to Durham’s rivals by claiming he is not even bowling at full speed yet this season.

Harmison took six wickets in the Championship win over Kent last week, but he will be rested against Leicestershire in the Pro 40 League today as he looks to protect his body from unnecessary wear and tear.

The 31-year-old missed the start of the season with a back injury and admits he is being overly cautious whenever he bowls as he tries to nurse himself back to full strength.

But the Ashington Express was still the pick of Durham’s attack in Canterbury and it is frightening to think of the damage he will do once he is firing on all cylinders.

He said: “It’s been a long couple of weeks and I feel as though I’m going through pre-season now, I’m getting all those aches and pains. It’s been frustrating for me because of the injury.

“Coming back in against Nottinghamshire, who are probably are biggest rivals, I gave it everything but I didn’t have a lot left in the tank. I had to play because of injuries and I feel as if I’m coming out the other side of it. It’ll probably do me a lot of good in the long run.

“The body is toughening up. I’ve been playing catch up because of the trapped nerve in my back, but I’m getting there slowly. It’s not ideal, but needs must.