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Cricket

Title triumph almost as good as Ashes win: Harmison

27/09/2008

Durham star Steve Harmison felt winning the division one title with his home county is almost as special as lifting the Ashes for England.

Harmison took an impressive 60 wickets this summer as Durham claimed their first ever county championship title by beating Kent on the final day of the season, as league leaders Nottinghamshire slipped up against Hampshire.

The 30-year-old Harmison won back his England place by performing well for Durham and admitted this season was one of his best in his 12 years at the county.

"The Ashes takes some beating. Because of the nature of the series win, it will always be the pinnacle," said Harmison. "But behind that, I don't think there is a prouder moment than this in my career. It's very special.

"I've probably been through more bad times than good times. This is my 12th season and I've probably had more bad years than good years, but this is just a great feeling.

"There are some young lads up there who don't realise what sort of achievement they've just had," added Harmison.

What makes Durham's achievements even more remarkable is that they are the youngest county in England – having only come into existence in 1992. It is an incredible rise for a county who only four seasons ago in 2004, finished bottom of the county championship division two.