HARMISON RECALLED FOR THIRD TEST
Steve Harmison, the Durham fast bowler, has been handed the chance to revive his international career having been named in England’s 13-man squad for the crucial third Test against South Africa at Edgbaston on Wednesday.
Geoff Miller, head of England’s national selectors, challenged the 29-year-old to bowl well enough to save England’s series - they are trailing 1-0 with two Tests remaining - and reclaim his long-term position in the team.
Harmison, who has 212 Test wickets at an average of 31.39, had been dropped in March after bowling 1-121 in England’s defeat to New Zealand in Hamilton. But the 6ft 4in quick bowler has since impressed for his county, approaching something like his 2004 venomous best. With 41 wickets in nine first-class games at an average of 22.82, he is the leading wicket-taker in the domestic game, and proved too hard for Miller to overlook again.
“Steve has been bowling well for Durham this season,” Miller said. “He is now doing what he wasn’t doing in New Zealand. But he has come back, really worked hard and started performing like we know he can perform.
“His inclusion in the Test squad gives us another option in terms of our bowling attack. I hope it’s a rebirth of his England career. If he bowls well and does the job we ask him to do then it could well be.”
Ryan Sidebottom and Paul Collingwood are also recalled at the expense of Chris Tremlett and Darren Pattinson, a surprise late replacement for the injured Sidebottom at Headingley.
England’s selectors had been criticised for picking the Nottinghamshire seam bowler for the second Test, which was lost by 10 wickets. Captain Michael Vaughan conceded that the selection of Pattinson, who earned figures of 2-96, was “confused”. But Miller was quick to defend his selection, though admitting it was “a bit left field“.
“I can see why there might have been confusion,” he said, “because it went away from our normal procedure and consistency. But we had watched Darren over the season and he had out-bowled everybody else. He merited his place in that squad and then we needed him because of the injury to Ryan. It was a bit left field, yes, but we still think it was the right decision.”
Sidebottom, an international revelation since his comeback last season, looks likely to start if he regains full fitness. Miller continued: “Ryan has been progressing well with his back injury over the past week and we're confident he'll be fit for selection but obviously he'll be monitored closely in the lead up to next Wednesday. “
For 32-year-old all-rounder Collingwood, dropped for the last Test, the recall provides him with a chance to bolter England’s scoring, after they managed only 203 compared to South Africa’s 522 in the first innings at Headingley.
Miller added: “Paul was unlucky to miss out on a place in the team for the second Test match but this decision was based on a number of factors. He has shown what a true professional he is by returning to Durham over the past week and playing well for his county.”
England squad: Michael Vaughan (capt), Tim Ambrose (wk), James Anderson, Ian Bell, Stuart Broad, Paul Collingwood, Alastair Cook, Andrew Flintoff, Steve Harmison, Monty Panesar, Kevin Pietersen, Ryan Sidebottom, Andrew Strauss.
Steve Harmison, the Durham fast bowler, has been handed the chance to revive his international career having been named in England’s 13-man squad for the crucial third Test against South Africa at Edgbaston on Wednesday.
Geoff Miller, head of England’s national selectors, challenged the 29-year-old to bowl well enough to save England’s series - they are trailing 1-0 with two Tests remaining - and reclaim his long-term position in the team.
Harmison, who has 212 Test wickets at an average of 31.39, had been dropped in March after bowling 1-121 in England’s defeat to New Zealand in Hamilton. But the 6ft 4in quick bowler has since impressed for his county, approaching something like his 2004 venomous best. With 41 wickets in nine first-class games at an average of 22.82, he is the leading wicket-taker in the domestic game, and proved too hard for Miller to overlook again.
“Steve has been bowling well for Durham this season,” Miller said. “He is now doing what he wasn’t doing in New Zealand. But he has come back, really worked hard and started performing like we know he can perform.
“His inclusion in the Test squad gives us another option in terms of our bowling attack. I hope it’s a rebirth of his England career. If he bowls well and does the job we ask him to do then it could well be.”
Ryan Sidebottom and Paul Collingwood are also recalled at the expense of Chris Tremlett and Darren Pattinson, a surprise late replacement for the injured Sidebottom at Headingley.
England’s selectors had been criticised for picking the Nottinghamshire seam bowler for the second Test, which was lost by 10 wickets. Captain Michael Vaughan conceded that the selection of Pattinson, who earned figures of 2-96, was “confused”. But Miller was quick to defend his selection, though admitting it was “a bit left field“.
“I can see why there might have been confusion,” he said, “because it went away from our normal procedure and consistency. But we had watched Darren over the season and he had out-bowled everybody else. He merited his place in that squad and then we needed him because of the injury to Ryan. It was a bit left field, yes, but we still think it was the right decision.”
Sidebottom, an international revelation since his comeback last season, looks likely to start if he regains full fitness. Miller continued: “Ryan has been progressing well with his back injury over the past week and we're confident he'll be fit for selection but obviously he'll be monitored closely in the lead up to next Wednesday. “
For 32-year-old all-rounder Collingwood, dropped for the last Test, the recall provides him with a chance to bolter England’s scoring, after they managed only 203 compared to South Africa’s 522 in the first innings at Headingley.
Miller added: “Paul was unlucky to miss out on a place in the team for the second Test match but this decision was based on a number of factors. He has shown what a true professional he is by returning to Durham over the past week and playing well for his county.”
England squad: Michael Vaughan (capt), Tim Ambrose (wk), James Anderson, Ian Bell, Stuart Broad, Paul Collingwood, Alastair Cook, Andrew Flintoff, Steve Harmison, Monty Panesar, Kevin Pietersen, Ryan Sidebottom, Andrew Strauss.
Labels: cricket, Edgbaston, England, South Africa, Steve Harmison
