Steve Harmison is hopeful of playing again in time for Durham's first Lord's final © Getty Images

Steve Harmison has told the Mail on Sunday that his recovery from hernia surgery earlier this month is going so well that he hopes to be bowling again within a fortnight.

Harmison admitted he has no chance of being fit in time for the Oval Test but he has a target of returning to action in time for Durham's first one-day final at Lord's on August 18. To give himself a chance of playing there he needs to be ready to face Surrey in a Championship match starting on August 13.

He started running last week and was given the all-clear to resume more strenuous exercise after visiting a specialist last Thursday.

"Things have gone well and I've been running at about 70% capacity," he told the paper. "The next step is to build up to some 'walk-throughs' of my action. A final for my club against Warney and KP would be some way to make my comeback."