What do you think the problem is with Steve Harmison??

Question

I'd put some of the blame with the hacks (on TV and the Papers), they laid into Harmy when he got to NZ after staying home for the birth of his child, (a right known as Paternity leave why shouldnt Harmy take advantage of it)

I would also lay some blame at the door of the bowling coaches, what are they telling harmy that Durham aren't?? I've been keeping a regular eye on Durhams scorecards this season and Harmison is taking wickets for fun at times, his pace is up and the old fire is back in his belly.

I know there is a lot of baggage with steve but surely with some careful handling Steve could get back to the top of tree again

Answer 1

He's too inconsistent, also now we've got Broad and Panesar with Flintoff and Jones fit again he really is nowhere near the top five bowlers in England and Wales.

Also ruling himself out of ODIs was a bad move.

Answer 2

His problem is homesickness. He has always been a poor traveller, even from the days before he got into the England team.

If every Test was played at Durham, he would be a world beater.

Answer 3

plain and simple :he ain't on the sri lankan team.

Answer 4

Test and county cricket are worlds apart. Harimson has always struggled with control of line. Where as he gets away with this on the county scene he doesn't at test level. I'm guessing this causes him to have self doubt. The media spotlight that has followed him in recent years could only add to the pressure. At the end of the day I think he lacks self confidence at times.

Answer 5

SH is a problem child of English cricket.  No doubt a very dangerous weapon when happy, in form and focused. But he is fragile.  He gets homesick and doesn't like to travel.  Suffers from massive and frequent losses of confidence.  He needs a lot of management both on the field and off. He doesn't have the ticker of the man I want in the front line of my attack, unfortunately.

Answer 6

Its all about confidence mate.

First of all i think journalists were right to question Harmison's commitment after he left the NZ tour to be with his wife for the birth of his child. Now i have no problem with leaving the tour to witness one of the greatest moments of your life, BUT Harmison at the time, was on the edge of the test team. By leaving the tour, he effectively stated that he has no desire to fight for his place in the team. Sometimes players have to make sacrifices (Like Strauss is, his wife is due any time and he says he will play on)

Anyway the problem with Harmison is confidence, Harmison at his best is the most dangerous bowler in England, he is a fast bowling dream! He bowls a superb bouncer and he can pass the 90MPH mark all the time! BUT for Harmison to gain this confidence, he needs to play day in day out! Harmison is a rhythm bowler, so if he hasnt bowled in a competitive match for 3 or 4 months! then he will not bowl at full pace or at his best because he has no rhythm.

The reason why Steve is doing so well in the County Championship (besides the standard of the County Championship) is because he is bowling day in day out for Durham so he is constantly in a rhythm.

Harmison can still be the worlds best, but the fact is the England central contract was not helping him at all! In my opinion Harmison needs to constantly play cricket for him to be at his best! SO if Harmy gets back in the England team, then after the test match he has played, he needs to go back to Durham and bowl there too! (obviously if there's back to back test matches then it doesnt matter).

If Harmison carries on bowling well in the County Championship, then he cant be ignored! and guess where England tour early next year? the West Indies, Harmison has great memories of the West Indies, and maybe if he is picked then he can get back to near his best?

Answer 7

unconsistatancy

Answer 8

Definitely a confidence and mental problem.  He can bowl at his best for Durham but as soon as he plays for England he'll crack and spray the ball everywhere again.