Harmison grabbed a hat-trick as he took match figures of 7-110
England discard Steve Harmison took a hat-trick to help Durham beat Sussex by seven wickets with a day to spare.
Sussex began the day on 15-2 in their second innings, still 72 behind, and were indebted to keeper Matt Prior, who hit 133 not out in their total of 212.
But Prior received little support as paceman Harmison (4-75) removed Rory Hamilton-Brown, Robin Martin-Jenkins and Mushtaq Ahmed in successive balls.
Michael Di Venuto hit a quickfire 60 as Durham reached their target of 126.
Acting captain Prior, overlooked by England for their forthcoming one-day series against New Zealand, responded with his third century of the season, hitting five sixes and 16 fours in his 138-ball knock.
He steadied the Sussex innings after Michael Yardy had fallen lbw to Harmison's new-ball partner Callum Thorp, adding 90 for the fourth wicket with Murray Goodwin, who hit a patient 28.
After a brief interruption for bad light, Goodwin and Luke Wright fell to Thorp, who took 4-77, in the space of an over as they slipped to 113-5.
Harmison then struck, having Hamilton-Brown and Martin-Jenkins caught behind by Phil Mustard - like Prior, overlooked for England wicket-keeping duties - before clean bowling Mushtaq.
Prior did boost the total by adding 74 with tail-enders Corey Collymore and Jason Lewry who were both run out trying to give him the strike.
He also reached three figures in style by hitting former England team-mate Harmison for successive sixes over backward point.
With Durham set a small target, Mustard was promoted to his one-day role of opener, but fell for a duck to Lewry, who also removed first-innings centurion Will Smith cheaply.
But Di Venuto, whose 60 came off 66 balls, and Neil McKenzie (41 not out) set about their task with ease, captain Dale Benkenstein helping McKenzie see Durham home after Di Venuto edged Wright to Prior behind the stumps.
"Things are going well for us and for me personally," Harmison said afterwards.
"I am going out to bowl thinking I can take five or six wickets in an innings, but it all comes down to a team effort and this was a game which we ended up winning quite convincingly."
Harmison remains focused on winning back his England place, but is willing to bide his time.
"If the selectors are looking for pace and power, I'll get a chance, if not I'll continue to play for Durham and I have no problems with that.
"The selectors know what I can do. I love playing for Durham and if I continue to do well for them then I'll be back in the England team," he added.
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Bookmark with:
What are these?