Harmison took three wickets in the second innings at the Oval

England fast bowler Steve Harmison has admitted he rates the 2009 Ashes victory over Australia as even more special than the win in 2005.

The 30-year-old figured in the 2005 and 2007 series, and believes beating the tourists with an inexperienced side was an impressive response.

"It was one of the proudest moments of my career," he told BBC Newcastle's Total Sport show.

"To win the Ashes with a young side was a great achievement."

Although he was not an initial call-up to the Ashes squad, Ashington-born Harmison was drafted in for the fourth and fifth Tests, and played his part, notching five wickets in three innings, including three in the vital second innings at the Oval.

With players such as Durham team-mate Graham Onions, the Nottinghamshire duo of Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann and Lancashire's James Anderson adding youth to the England bowling attack, the Harmison, who is 31 in October, has been considering his England future.

Having seen long-term strike bowling partner Andrew Flintoff call time on his own Test cricket career, and having been part of domestic success with Durham, Harmison admitted he would consider quitting for the good of the team, despite his desire to play.

"I love playing cricket for England, and the last couple of winters I have been away, but it's not been that enjoyable because I haven't been playing and that's what brought the thoughts on in my mind," he said.

"But the way things went yesterday, I'm not sure yet. I want to win the Championship with Durham and that's all I'm focusing on, I want to win that desperately.

606: DEBATE Should Harmison continue to figure for England?

"And then I'll make my decision then, I'll see where they want to take the England cricket team because that's the most important thing, and the team comes first.

"I want this side to go out and be successful and win out in Australia and if it's best to go to South Africa and I'm not involved and they want to rebuild and move on I'll gladly say 'Yeah great, have a go without me' and I'll know which way I'm going."

Harmison made his Test debut for England against India at Trent Bridge in 2002 and has since yielded 226 wickets in 63 Test matches.

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