Fast bowler Harmison's haul, the best Test return at Jamaica's Sabina Park, was the cornerstone of England's win in the opening game of the four-match series.

But his astonishing analysis looked a long way-off when the Durham quick's professional world collapsed around him in Perth in November 2002 during the third Test against Australia.

Harmison, 25, repeatedly lost his run-up as Australia made 456, a total that would help them retain the Ashes in just 11 days' playing time.

It would have been embarrassing enough for a club cricketer; for a man touted as England's great fast bowling hope it was pitiful with figures of one for 86 only hinting at Harmison's misery.

Many wondered if Harmison, whose tour of Australia began with seven successive wides in the opening match, would recover and he admitted months afterwards: "That was the first time in my life I have thought 'Please don't throw me the ball, I don't want to bowl'."

But crucially for Harmison one man didn't lose faith in him, the then England captain Nasser Hussain.

"Nasser helped me through the crisis. His encouragement was priceless," said Harmison who was playing in only his 13th Test after making his debut against India in Nottingham in 2002.

"I was struggling but he refused to take me off. He just said: 'Keep going you'll get it back'."

Harmison's pace had been evident from the time he made his Durham debut back in 1996. At well over 6ft tall it was clear that his ability to get steepling bounce was going to give good batsmen something to think about.

He also had a powerful ally in former England all-rounder Ian Botham who lost no opportunity to champion his case.

But, like just about every other English fast bowler of his generation, Harmison's career was blighted by injury.

And, even when he was fit, his direction was often so wayward that it was wicketkeepers rather than batsmen who had most reason to be fearful.

But there were encouraging signs when, on a good batting pitch, he helped England square the home series against South Africa with a fifth Test win at The Oval in September.

However, all the old doubts resurfaced when Harmison was forced out of the first leg of England's winter programme in Bangladesh with a back problem while his self-confessed struggles with homesickness did little to persuade the doubters.

"I admit I'm not a good traveller," he said in January. "I always seem to struggle at the start of any tour with homesickness. I struggled in Australia last winter and it affected my performance on the field."

Rehabilitation work, including training with his local football heroes at Newcastle United, helped the native north-easterner get ready for the Caribbean where England have not won a Test series in 36 years.

Early indications were promising but few could have predicted Sunday's fairytale figures.

"I would never have thought this would happen when I woke up this morning, but I learnt from the first innings that my natural length was far too short," man-of-the-match Harmison said.

"I am speechless. I cannot say much about what happened."

If Harmison can stay fit and maintain this kind of form -- two big 'ifs' -- England fans won't care if he never says another word.