Harmison may push off surgery

Despite reports indicating that Steve Harmison was to undergo an immediate hernia operation, the England fast bowler has said he will push it off for as long as possible.

“I felt something go in my back during the warm-ups but there was no way I was missing this Test. Then the next day I discovered lump in my groin area and it was a hernia,” Harmison said after England’s seven wicket victory over the West Indies in which he took four wickets throughout the match.

“Ideally I don’t want to miss any Tests but I want to be able to bowl at 90 miles an hour and not 80.

“If I’m still bowling at 80 in the next week or so then we might have to have a look at it. But if it’s not hurting then hopefully I can make it to the end of the India series.”

Harmison also admitted his inconsistent bowling was at times not good enough.

“My summer’s been a bit like the West Indies. When it was good it was really good but when it was bad I hold my hands up it was pretty poor,” he said

“There have been times where things haven’t gone well for me but I’ve never dropped my head. I’ve wanted to keep trying and keep going.”

Harmison took 16 wickets in four matches against the West Indies, helping England win the series 3-0.