Harmison may quit cricket

9:05am Monday 5th May 2008

STEVE Harmison claims he would probably retire from cricket altogether if he felt the chance to regain his England place had gone.

The 29-year-old was dropped after a poor first Test on England's recent tour of New Zealand and his desire to play for his country was brought into question.

However, he told the Mail on Sunday: The prospect of playing for England is what drives me and if I felt my chance of doing that was gone the probability is I'd retire from first-class cricket altogether.

This is not an ultimatum or me trying to impose conditions on anyone.

But I am 29 now and if I felt my England career was over I would be tempted to say I want to do something different with my life.'' The Durham paceman has taken 212 test wickets in 57 tests since making his debut in 2002.

He said he had spoken with captain Michael Vaughan and coach Peter Moores with both men saying Harmison and Hoggard were still in England's plans.

"Playing for England is what I strive for and I would find it hard to face the prospect of playing another four or five years without that target,'' Harmison said.

"Everyone has a life expectancy.'' He added: "After a terrible year for me on the field, with injuries, operations and so little cricket it is ridiculous, my aim is to bowl fast, take wickets and give the selectors something to think about.

"And I genuinely believe I can. But I have to look carefully at my future and how things might work out from here.

"No disrespect to Durham. I can't stress enough how much I love playing for my county, and they have been fantastically supportive throughout my career.''

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