Harmy denies greed claims

Durham paceman says Sidebottom injury forced his return against South Africa

Last updated: 7th September 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Harmy denies greed claims

Harmison: Hit back

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Durham paceman Steve Harmison has hit back at detractors who claim he only made his England one-day international comeback to earn a massive pay-day in the lucrative Stanford Super Series.

The England bowler retired from the international one-day game after the 2006-07 Australia tour, but recently made his comeback under new captain Kevin Pietersen in the emphatic 4-0 series win against South Africa.

This has led some to question his motives, as England's players each stand to receive £500,000 if they can beat Sir Allen Stanford's All Stars in a Twenty20 match in Antigua this autumn.

But Harmison has insisted his return was not motivated by financial concerns.

Greedy

He told the Mail on Sunday: "It is disappointing that I have been portrayed as greedy and only prepared to play one-day cricket for England again because of the money.

"The truth is that when I first discussed coming back with KP and the coach, Peter Moores, I made it clear I'd only be available from the day after the Stanford match.

"Had it not been for the injury to Ryan (Sidebottom) that ruled him out of the one-day series against South Africa, I might still be considering whether to come back at all."