Durham 232 & 325-7 Surrey 183: Injury setback has Harmison doubtful for Durham final

Steve Harmison is facing a tough decision over whether he will be fit to play in Durham's first Lord's final after suffering a setback in his recovery from a hernia operation.

The England fast bowler, who underwent surgery four weeks ago, has developed pain and stiffness from a haematoma in his right side after bowling against Surrey here, placing in some doubt his appearance against Hampshire in Saturday's Friends Provident Trophy decider.

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Durham believe Harmison, who they say is "desperate" to play at Lord's, may have suffered the injury by pushing himself too hard to make himself available as the county seek their first major silverware in 15 years as a first-class side.

They hope that a second scan will clarify the extent of the injury, a first having proved inconclusive, and that with treatment he may recover, although with crucial matches to come in Durham's season as they also press for the Championship, as well as England's tour to Sri Lanka in November, he will be under pressure not to risk his future well-being by declaring himself fit.

The Durham coach Geoff Cook said: "Provided he is cleared by the scan, Steve has not discounted playing on Saturday after treatment. We think because he has pushed himself so hard since the operation on the hernia it might just be general workload that has caused the problem. It is a balancing act now between short-term gain and long-term damage.

"We would not want to take a chance on him in a Lord's final. He is desperate to play but he has his winter to think of as well.

"From our point of view we have got to this final with Steve playing in about half the matches and we have cover. In a way it is more important that he is fit for the Championship."

It looks unlikely that Harmison will bowl again in this match, which promises an exciting finish despite more interruptions by the weather yesterday, with Durham poised to declare early today after building a lead of 374 as they seek to strengthen their title push with a fifth victory.

Michael Di Venuto and 20-year-old Mark Stoneman took their opening partnership to 80 before the latter edged to second slip attempting to drive through the off side, giving Matt Nicholson a wicket that he supplemented when Kyle Coetzer was caught behind off a rising delivery.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul helped Di Venuto regroup but then both departed in similar fashion, mistiming pull shots, to the 18-year-old pace prospect Chris Jordan.

Dale Benkenstein and Phil Mustard added 58 for the fifth wicket before spinner Harbhajan Singh, during a marathon spell of 36 overs unchanged, accounted for both, but a 60-ball 55 from Ottis Gibson put Durham back in charge.