"From the very first ball of the Ashes I hated the game of cricket," Steve Harmison told the Sunday Mail. "I’ve made myself a promise as a result: from now on I’m going to make sure,whatever happens, I enjoy myself."
Of all England's Ashes losers, Harmison received the most criticism. After creeping back to the UK having retired from one-dayers, he insists he is ready for another season - and is even looking ahead to the next Ashes.
"But the only way I can get the last Ashes out of my system is to be there on the first morning of the 2009 series with the ball in my hand. In fact, I want to go to Australia after that and do some damage in the following Ashes.I’m not ending my career against Australia with what’s just happened.
"Before that I’ve got to make sure I’m playing on May 17 in the first Test against the West Indies. I’ll need a good start to the season with Durham but I know that when I’m bowling well there’s no one in the country who can do what I can do. The Ashes is behind me now, I promise you."
But before the season starts, Harmison is publishing a book: Ashes Frontline (out March 26), a tour diary written along with Justin Langer. Shameless money-making opportunity? It appears not.
"There’s no way I could make any money out of a book after how I performed. I wouldn’t sleep knowing that. My cousin’s little boy, George Young,has a rare genetic disease of the immune system called Ipex Syndrome, but he’s been helped enormously by the Bubble Foundation UK, which supports the Children’s Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at Newcastle General Hospital.
"George is a real champion, not me, or Fred Flintoff or any sportsman.All proceeds from the book from my end will go to the Bubble Foundation. They deserve it,and I most certainly do not after the Ashes. But if George can win his battles, then so can I over something a lot less important. I was down but I’m not out, and I will be back."
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