STEPHEN Harmison last night thanked Nasser Hussain for making his Riverside Test dream come true.

Harmison, 24, will line up in Durham's debut Test on Thursday after being helped through a welter of troubles by England captain Hussain.

The Ashington Express bowled so many one-day wides in the winter that he confessed it got "silly".

But Hussain ignored the clamour to ditch Harmison, instead backing his pace bowler as he battled through.

Harmison now wants to repay Hussain's faith in him and, having taken three wickets in England's crushing victory over Zimbabwe at Lord's, aims to make a happy homecoming this week.

Harmison said: "There were a few times when it was getting a bit silly but Nasser still stood by me.

"When my wides problem happened he told me not to be bothered because he knew I could still take wickets.

"For someone like that to be in charge of the England side is worth its weight in gold. Having someone like that on your side makes a massive difference."

Hussain's decision to relinquish the one-day captaincy prompted calls for the Essex batsman to quit as Test skipper after four years in charge.

England legend Brian Close claimed having two captains - Michael Vaughan has been appointed to the limited-overs helm - would have a harmful effect on the chain of command.

But Harmison dismissed the idea of Hussain stepping down and claimed the former Durham University student had the unqualified support of every England player.

Harmison said: "I would be very surprised if any England player did not want Nasser Hussain to continue as captain.

"I have always spoken very highly of the man and not just because he gave me my chance at international level.

"Any England side with Nasser in charge is a better side.

"His knowledge of the game and his mental strength is superb, and when you play with someone like that it makes you want to perform that bit more.

"If things don't go right, he doesn't try to hide and make excuses."

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