Harmison unlikely to make tour of South Africa (From The Northern Echo)

Harmison unlikely to make tour of South Africa

8:00am Wednesday 15th February 2012 in Durham CCC By Tim Wellock

STEVE Harmison has suffered another injury setback, almost certainly ruling him out of a pre-season trip to South Africa.

Following the two freak injuries which restricted him to six championship games last year, Durham's former England paceman turned an ankle during fielding practice in the indoor school.

He should be fit for the start of the championship programme, at home to Nottinghamshire on April 12, but might not have the necessary bowling behind him.

Dale Benkenstein and bowling coach Alan Walker are to accompany six bowlers to South Africa, leaving on February 29 for two weeks of outdoor practice.

Among them is Ben Stokes, who was unable to bowl at the end of last season because the surgery to repair his badly-dislocated finger was not fully successful.

He went to the USA for another operation and Durham coach Geoff Cook said: "He's way ahead of schedule in his recovery and is now full on in bowling, batting and fielding.

"Every time he turns on the television and watches England playing it will spur him on. He's looking really good and strong."

Mitch Claydon, Liam Plunkett and Chris Rushworth are also going to South Africa, along with Academy players Josh Bousfield and Usman Arshad.

Bousfield, 17, is a swing bowler from Barnard Castle who is also a useful batsman and Cook said: "He's a talented sportsman. He is inexperienced but he has come through quite quickly and it will be good for him to have the opportunity to work with some experienced people."

Barbados-born Ruel Brathwaite was not considered for the trip because Durham need to be wary about the number of days he spends out of the country as he seeks permanent residential status. It is hoped that will be granted at the end of March.

"Ruel is desperately keen to become a regular member of the side," said Cook. "He did well when he played last season and in retrospect he probably should have played a bit more, although the team was doing well.

"Mark Wood is now a full-time contract, Mark Davies has started bowling again and we still have Callum Thorp, so there will be a lot of competition for bowling places.

"Callum will be on the last year of his contract, but we have an understanding with him that as long as he's fit and bowling well we appreciate the contribution he can make."

Second team coach Jon Lewis will visit the Global Cricket School in India this month with Gareth Breese and Mark Stoneman, plus youngsters Tim Raglan, Ryan Buckley and James Weighell.

The full squad will travel to Dubai at the end of March for their final pre-season preparations to take part in the Emirates Twenty20 competition in addition to playing several friendlies.

Paul Collingwood will captain a new franchise called Impi in South Africa's Twenty20 competition, which starts today.

Impi is a Zulu-word which means an armed body of men and so far they signed only one other overseas player in Essex's Dutch international Ryan ten Doeschate.