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[Mortimer]

Steve Harmison has announced his retirement

http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/current/story/677127.html

A top class player and a believer as well!

[FattusCattus]

Didn't know he was still playing - did he play at all this year?

[Mortimer]

Didn't play a game all summer. Both he and Durham let his contract wind down and he is having his benefit this year

[FattusCattus]

So I wonder if he was still getting paid - easy money if he was!

[Mortimer]

I would imagine he was being paid and paid well!

[123*]

The man's a fuc**** disgrace, signed a 5 year contract when he was in his pomp at 150k a year, hasn't played a game for almost two years. Was meant to be at pre-season training with the rest of the squad instead he went and commentated for Sky in the India series. Has made no effort to get fit, refused to play in the local premier league to get some overs in. Has turned out for about 3 2nd XI games in the last few years. But on the plus side his golf handicap has came down as that's all he's done recently! If the man had some self respect he'd have agreed a settlement a while ago with Durham!

[Alvaro]

Now that's bitter!

[FattusCattus]

The man's a fuc**** disgrace, signed a 5 year contract when he was in his pomp at 150k a year, hasn't played a game for almost two years. Was meant to be at pre-season training with the rest of the squad instead he went and commentated for Sky in the India series. Has made no effort to get fit, refused to play in the local premier league to get some overs in. Has turned out for about 3 2nd XI games in the last few years. But on the plus side his golf handicap has came down as that's all he's done recently! If the man had some self respect he'd have agreed a settlement a while ago with Durham!

If this is the case I'd imagine Durham share a huge proportion of the blame for letting that situation play out. County legend or not, no man should be bigger than the club.

[ProWannabe88]

Now that's bitter!

Hahahaha! Bet you've been waiting all day to use that buddy!

[123*]

If this is the case I'd imagine Durham share a huge proportion of the blame for letting that situation play out. County legend or not, no man should be bigger than the club.

I agree, he was given a 5 year deal which started in 2008, although not the bowler he was a few years prior he was still a Test regular therefore it is arguable that he deserved that amount of money. HOWEVER he has made no effort to get fit and admitted halfway through the 2012 season he would never play for Durham again; why would you take that amount of money off a club that had supported you for such a long time, fair enough if he was a mediocre county journeyman who was skint, but come on he must have a fortune! It was partly down to him that Durham breached the salary cap this year which started the season so negatively! I may be wrong but I don't think he even turned up to watch his team-mates win the County Championship, that says it all for me!

[iand123]

I agree, he was given a 5 year deal which started in 2008, although not the bowler he was a few years prior he was still a Test regular therefore it is arguable that he deserved that amount of money. HOWEVER he has made no effort to get fit and admitted halfway through the 2012 season he would never play for Durham again; why would you take that amount of money off a club that had supported you for such a long time, fair enough if he was a mediocre county journeyman who was skint, but come on he must have a fortune! It was partly down to him that Durham breached the salary cap this year which started the season so negatively! I may be wrong but I don't think he even turned up to watch his team-mates win the County Championship, that says it all for me!

Whilst I know the point (and agree to an extent) you are making would you do the same? Honestly would you walk away from money you are contracted to earn? I know I wouldn't and think its easy to assume sportsmen should forgive the money they've been contracted to by a club  or team. Professional sport has evolved a great deal in the last 20 years and this sort of thing would never have happened previously bit it's just part and parcel of modern sport and life (I'm sure your employer would love it if you rock up tomorrow morning and tell him you'll not want paying at the end of the month despite being contractually obliged to). Plus not as if Durham have needed him this year!

Personally I like harmison and on his day he was one of the hardest bowlers to face. Rather unfortunately I think his legacy will always be that first delivery in the ashes that went to 2nd slip