By Jon Steer
April 30 2003

Steve Harmison has been rewarded for his Ashes performances with a six month central contract and has been selected for the forthcoming tours by Zimbabwe and South Africa. Steve Harmison's dreams of playing test cricket at the Riverside this summer were given a boost today when the ECB announced that he has been awarded a six month central contract.

The second test between England and Zimbabwe takes place at the Riverside from 5th June. Harmy must now have an excellent chance of playing in it as long as he can put in some good performances in the forthcoming championship matches and keep himself free from injury.

Only two summer contracts were awarded in addition to the nine full england contracts that were already in place. The other contract announced today went to fellow fast bowler James Anderson.

There is a downside for Durham supporters, the contracts are designed to allow the ECB to regulate the amount of cricket England squad members can play so it will mean that he will miss up to half of Durham's matches this season.