Harmison leaves Durham

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Ben Harmison will not have his contract renewed and he will depart Durham after seven years due to a lack of first-team opportunities

All-rounder Ben Harmison has been released by Durham after finding himself surplus to requirements.

The younger brother of former England international Steve spent seven years at the Emirates Durham ICG, where he scored hundreds in each of his first two first-class matches in 2006 - against Oxford University and West Indies A respectively.

He registered his maiden - and thus far only - LV= County Championship century against Warwickshire a year later, while he averaged a respectable 34.66 with the ball in his 37 matches.

The 25-year-old’s all-round talents came to the fore in one-day cricket but his first-team opportunities this season have been at a premium and Harmison has been a regular in the second XI side.

Indeed, he did not feature in the championship this year and made only a handful of unmemorable appearances in the early stages of the Clydesdale Bank 40.

Head coach Geoff Cook said: “Opportunities for Ben in the first team, both in four- and one-day, cricket have become increasingly scarce due to the good form of so many of the players in the squad.

“It’s in Ben’s best interest to look to secure himself an opportunity at another county where he could continue his development and play more regular first-team cricket.

"We wish him all the best for the future and thank him for his contribution to Durham CCC in recent years.”

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