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No regrets over leaving England role

Harmison told Donald he was scared

Cricinfo staff

March 9, 2008

	Allan Donald manages to bring a smile to Steve Harmison's face © Getty Images

Donald was England's bowling coach during the 2007 season but turned down the full-time position so that he could spend more time with his family and has joined Warwickshire as their bowling coach. The moment when Harmison opened up came at Old Trafford during the third Test against West Indies after he'd struggled to hit the cut strip.

"He needed confidence," Donald told the Birmingham Post. "He needed to feel appreciated. I've never seen a cricketer as low as he was. He came off the field in the Test at Old Trafford and told me he was scared. It was so sad."

From his low point in the first innings at Old Trafford, Harmison did manage to regain some composure with an improved performance on the final day and in the fourth Test on his home ground at Chester-le-Street. However, just as he was finding some confidence another injury came along and he missed the rest of the summer. He has continued to suffered fitness issues, especially with his back, during the winter tours of Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

Harmison's fate is now in the hands of Ottis Gibson after Donald opted against a full-time role. "To be honest with you, I wouldn't have taken the England job even if this role at Warwickshire hadn't come up," Donald said. "Working with the England team was fantastic. I thoroughly enjoyed it and feel I made a positive impact. And, I have to say, the ECB were brilliant. They are a highly professional organisation and, in many ways, everything about the job was great.

"But I've been on the road for years. At some stage you have to put the family first. I want to see my children grow up."

© Cricinfo