Harmison stands by late arrival

7 March 2008

An out-of-sorts Steve Harmison strives for the breakthrough in Hamilton © Getty Images

Steve Harmison stands by his decision to join England’s tour of New Zealand late so that he could attend the birth of his fourth child - even though he admits it affected his preparation for the first Test.

Harmison, who battled back from a hernia injury for the second and third Tests in the series defeat against Sri Lanka before Christmas, spoke in a heartfelt interview of his love of his family.

The 29-year-old fast bowler chose to stay behind for several days in England when the rest of the specialists flew out to join the one-day players last month - but still arrived in time to play in both warm-up games.

Yet as the Kiwis racked up a first-innings 470 on a flat pitch at Hamilton in the first Test, Harmison struggled for pace, bowled only 23 overs and finished with figures of 1-97.

He is, however, unrepentant about staying with his wife until she gave birth to the couple’s first son.

“I would never knock the decision I made to come out five days late,” an emotional Harmison insisted.

“You always want to be there for the birth of your child. My preparation for this Test match could have gone a little bit better.

“I want to play Test cricket. I love playing cricket - it is my job. But I want to enjoy my family life as well - that is the most important thing in my life.

“To spend nearly 10 or 11 months away from my family just doesn’t work,” he told Sky Sports.

“I want to do both, but to see my kids is a big thing to me. I love my family and I want to spend a lot of time with them.”

Formerly the world’s number one pace bowler, the Durham seamer was some way off his best on the first two days at Seddon Park.

He put that down not just to his flawed preparation but the expectation on him to lead the attack by taking wickets.

“I felt a bit under pressure to take wickets for the side, and perhaps I was striving too hard,” he said.

“I kept trying to bowl the million-dollar ball - and that was always the one that disappeared through midwicket or extra cover.”