Harmison raring to go

Steve Harmison is keen to start playing again © Getty Images

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Steve Harmison flew out on Monday night to join his England colleagues in New Zealand, keen to get back on the pitch and full of confidence after the birth of his first son.

The 29-year-old fast bowler was given permission by England to stay behind when the Test contingent left last week to join the limited-overs specialists already on tour, so that he could attend the birth of his fourth child.

“All is well now at home, so I can go full of confidence and with a spring in my step,” Harmison said.

Harmison suffered a frustrating 2007, a hernia injury interrupting his summer and preventing him taking any part in the Test series at home to India.

He was back in time for the pre-Christmas tour of Sri Lanka, where England lost 1-0.

“I had a long break last year, which disappointed me,” he recalled.

“By the time I got to Sri Lanka I just wanted to play. I’m a professional cricketer and I want to play cricket - and I haven’t done a lot of that over the last year.”

Harmison has, however, had time to begin his preparation for the next month’s three-Test series against the Kiwis, having retired from one-day internationals.

“I’ve been bowling for about two weeks indoors,” he reported.

Harmison does not intend to be adding any further to his family now he and his wife Hayley have a son to go with their daughters.

“I have three girls and now I’ve got a boy, so I think that’s it for me now,” he said.