Steve Harmison

One of England’s finest fast bowlers, Harmison terrorised international batsman around the world when in rhythm.

Mixing extreme pace with steepling bounce, the seamer possessed a lethal hint of away movement and was at one stage the world’s finest bowler.

Harmison may well be remembered by some for delivering a wide - which was caught at second slip - with the first ball of England’s ill-fated 2006/07 Ashes campaign.

However, followers would be better advised to recount the years preceding the slump that engulfed the latter stages of his international career, for Harmison in full flow was a joy to behold.

Having been jokingly compared to Curtly Ambrose in the early part of his Test career, the Durham seamer produced a spell that would have made the West Indies great proud when taking 7-12 as England dismissed their hosts for 47 at Sabina Park in 2004.

Harmison ascended to the summit of the Test bowling rankings and his dominance was epitomised that summer as he helped England win all seven Tests - against West Indies and New Zealand.

In 2005, the paceman continued to prosper, terrorising Bangladesh in a two-Test series before setting the tone for England’s sensational 2005 Ashes success.

The first morning of that rubber will be best remembered for Harmison striking Australia skipper Ricky Ponting in the helmet amid a fiery opening spell; he would eventually claim a five-wicket haul as the tourists were dismissed for 190.

England lost the Test, but many credit that effort as a catalyst for the ensuing success.

With Australia two runs from moving 2-0 up in the next game at Edgbaston, Harmison famously dismissed Michael Kasprowicz as the hosts levelled the series.

He played a full part in the remaining three Tests as England claimed a famous 2-1 series victory, but that proved the highlight of an up-and-down career, with Harmison only showing glimpses of his former glory thereafter.

At county level, he helped Durham to back-to-back LV= County Championship titles in 2008 and 2009.

Yet Harmison was not able to rediscover his best form for the club thereafter, epitomised by him being loaned out to Yorkshire for a part of the 2012 campaign.

Despite that decision, Durham still awarded the veteran a benefit year in 2013.