Steve Harmison has achieved more in his career than most Englishmen, yet he was constantly told he should have done more. In an exclusive interview, chief sports writer Luke Edwards spoke to a reluctant star

IN criticising him for everything that he was not and could never be, Steve Harmison has too often been denied the praise he should have received for what he is and was.

A bowler who was once ranked number one in the world, a double Ashes winner, with series victories over every other Test-playing nation behind him, a veteran of more than 140 international appearances, who sits tenth in England’s all-time leading Test match wicket takers, Harmison could be considered one of the all-time greats.

Yet, he will probably always be seen as an under-achiever, a player so inconsistent he could swing from world class to village green from one spell to the next, an infuriating and frustrating waste of natural talent; an aloof and complex character who never truly fulfilled his potential. History may well be a kinder judge.

Perhaps when his feats are confined to memories, when his career is reflected on rather than constantly assessed, Harmison will be given the kudos he deserves.

Even in his prime there was a perception England persevered with him on the basis of what he might achieve, rather than because of what he did with the new ball in hand.

When things clicked, Harmison was a beast, blistering pace allied with vicious bounce. When it did not, he tended to be savaged by his critics.

He was not nasty enough, accurate enough, competitive enough, fired-up enough or clinical enough.