By Martin Gough

In one morning's work, Steve Harmison put his name amid the fast bowling greats in West Indies cricket history.

Harmison's delight was obvious as he claimed a career-best

The best Courtney Walsh could manage at his home ground, Kingston's Sabina Park, was 6-62 against India in 1989.

Even Wes Hall, the godfather of Caribbean pace bowling could only manage a relatively expensive 7-69 against England in 1960.

But that feat paled by comparison to the Ashington Express, who turned the opening Test from a nip-and-tuck affair into an early finish with a career best 7-12.

The joy Harmison displayed reflected the struggle he has had to convince the doubters, and often himself, that he has what it takes to succeed at the highest level.

A year ago, Harmison had just completed a testing winter comprising the Ashes tour of Australia and the World Cup.

Even at this stage he will be looking forward to getting back and joining his mates Geoff Cook Durham director of cricket

The five-month trip must have been difficult enough for the England squad, especially with the pressures of the Zimbabwe controversy tacked on the end.

For Harmison it was even more so.

In the opening match he sustained concussion and went on to bowl seven consecutive wides in a single over that lasted 14 increasingly cringing deliveries.

In the Perth Test he lost his run-up and had to undergo the embarrassment of replacing his loping stride with a shuffle to make sure he did not over-step.

The overall impression was of a man unhappy and unconfident in the spotlight.

TEN FACTS ABOUT HARMISON The eldest of four children, including three cricketers Family all live in Ashington, Northumberland Married to Hayley with daughters Abbie and Emily Phones his wife every day, sometimes twice a day, when on tour Before professional cricket, he worked in a foundry and for a roofing company Ideal dinner party guests: Jesus Christ, Bart Simpson, Elvis Likes: Films, sight-seeing, music Dislikes: Shopping, motorbikes, carrots, losing Supports Newcastle FC and lists Allan Shearer among his sporting idols Gels his hair because "otherwise my head looks flat"

A few months later he told me he would happily do it all again, saying: "I enjoyed the challenge - I'm someone who likes a challenge.

"To play against Steve Waugh, Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting, to play in front of 30,000 people; that's where you want to be."

It was clear he wanted to believe it, but his manner of delivery was far from convincing.

Harmison was man of the match with nine wickets in England's first Test victory against Bangladesh in October.

But the doubters were in full cry again after he returned home with back trouble and then had difficulty adapting to the training programme given to him by England bosses.

Durham director of cricket Geoff Cook first saw Harmison as a teenager, and spotted his pace and promise early.

BEST BOWLING AT SABINA PARK Stephen Harmison (ENG) 7-12, 1st Test, 2004 Trevor Bailey (ENG) 7-34, 5th Test, 1954 John Snow (ENG) 7-49, 2nd Test, 1968 Corey Collymore (WI) 7-57, 2nd Test v Sri Lanka, 2003 Wes Hall (WI) 7-69, 3rd Test, v England, 1960

"Even then he was tall and gangly and bowled the ball at a rate not often seen at that age," he told BBC Radio Four.

"After that it was entirely up to Stephen."

In eight county seasons, Harmison has taken his time to make the step up.

Cook hit the nail on the head when he said: "He loves the North East and even at this stage he will be looking forward to getting back and joining his mates."

Speaking last year, Harmison tried to play down accusations of shyness.

"I've always been the same," he said. "I wouldn't say shy; I just keep myself to myself. I don't like the publicity; I just want to get on with it."

For a successful cricketer, publicity goes with the territory and most of the publicity Harmison has received in the past has been bad.

England will hope his first real taste of public adulation will be the spur he needs to overcome his worries and fulfil his potential on a long-term basis.