Stephen Harmison is likely to miss the rest of the season after the back injury that he suffered during Durham’s county championship match against Surrey was revealed to be more serious than initial scans had indicated. Having rushed back into action nine days ago, only three weeks after a hernia operation, the pace bowler had set his heart on playing for Durham in the Friends Provident Trophy final against Hampshire tomorrow, but a torn muscle in his back has dashed his hopes.

Preliminary scans had suggested only internal bruising, but further tests revealed the tear along with an associated haematoma (bruising), symptoms that were likened by his specialist to car-crash injuries. Harmison said last night that he had first felt the problem after bowling seven overs on the first day against Surrey on Monday. The next morning, he bowled only two more overs before retiring for treatment.

He expressed the hope that he may yet play again this season, but after one hasty comeback has resulted in another injury, he is unlikely to be rushed again. “I’m hoping my season’s not finished, but if it is I’ll be fighting to get fit for [England’s tour to] Sri Lanka,” he said.

As he has retired from one-day internationals, Harmison’s next target is to prove his fitness before the Test leg of England’s tour, which follows the one-day series. The first Test begins in Kandy on December 1.

For the time being, however, Harmison is coming to terms with the desperate disappointment of missing out on the biggest day in Durham’s history.

“This is perhaps the lowest I’ve felt in my career,” he told The Journal in Newcastle. “I feel as though I’ve been hit by a truck physically and emotionally. When the specialist saw the scans he was shocked, he said it looked as though I’d been in a car crash. I don’t think anyone had any idea how serious the injury was.

“I’ve been at Durham since I was a kid. I’ve seen the dark days, I’ve shared in the miserable times and now I’m part of a successful team. I’m heartbroken that I won’t be able to help them try to win that first trophy.”

Lest it be forgotten, they are also riding high in the championship and yesterday’s draw against Surrey lifted them into third place. Harmison’s absence dissuaded Durham from making a bold declaration, batting on for half an hour in the morning.

Liam Plunkett, who made a brisk half-century, hit 26 from one over by Harbhajan Singh, including four sixes in five balls. Surrey were then set a notional target of 447 in 86 overs and Jon Batty, against an attack lacking its leading strike bowler, made his fourth century of the season as the match drifted to a draw.