Steve Harmison vs Michael Vaughan

By Luke Edwards on Apr 22, 09 11:15 AM

The first day of the cricket season - yes I know it started last week but this is Durham's first Championship game so it's the start of the season proper - is normally associated with overcast skies, gloomy predictions about the state of the English cricket and empty grounds.

So it has been refreshing to see clear blue skies and a healthy crowd at the Riverside as Durham embark on the defence of their county championship title against local rivals, and habitual whingers Yorkshire.

Mind you, the fact most of the media attention in an equally packed press box has focused on Steve Harmison and Michael Vaughan proves somethings never change.

Given that Harmison ended the winter as an England Test team outcast and Vaughan never managed to regain his Test place against India and the West Indies, we may well be looking at two former international stars.

Of course, both will be desperate to prove otherwise. There is no question it was a hugely disappointing winter for Harmison who, having forced his way back into the international side when many had written him off the previous year, failed to build on an impressive summer with Durham.

In truth, he was poor in the West Indies where concerns about his fitness and conditioning were raised by coaching staff.

It looked as though he had done the hardwork last season in becoming the inspirational and unstoppable force behind Durham's title triumph, but he has another uphill struggle on his hands to force his way back into the national team in time for the visit of the Aussies.

On the flip side, however, that is excellent news for Durham. Harmison had a point to prove last season and regained his form with his county before earning a richly-deserved international recall and he will be desperate to do the same this summer.

I would expect him to be left out of the First Test against the West Indies, but if he can regain his rhythm and confidence with Durham there still isn't a better fast bowler in the country and the selectors know it.

As for Durham, they are if anything looking an even stronger side this year than last thanks to the signing of Ian Blackwell. A powerful middle order batsman he is also a more reliable spinner than either Gareth Breese or Paul Wiseman.

But there will be plenty of pressure on new captain Will Smith. Dale Benkenstein has stepped down to allow Durham to develop an English skipper, as well as to enjoy a bit more of a back seat role, but Smith will still be expected to score runs this season.

It is not easy to balance leading a side with making runs for it, but that is what the best skippers manage to do, just look at Vaughan in his prime.

Whether the former England captain can ever return to such illustrious heights again is open to considerable question - but he will look to begin that process against Durham over the next four days.