Harmison has future despite England snub
NATIONAL selector Geoff Miller insists the door has not been closed on Steve Harmison’s international career despite his omission from England’s Test and one-day squads for the tour of South Africa.
The 30-year-old pace man was left out in favour of Durham team-mate Liam Plunkett and Sussex all-rounder Luke Wright as England look to fill the void left by Test retiree Andrew Flintoff.
Ashes hero Harmison had previously hinted that he could retire from the Test scene if left out of the South African tour, but Miller insists his omission does not signal the end of his career. “He didn’t mention that to me at all but obviously that opportunity is there for him,” Miller said. “We will continue to consider him until a decision is made that he doesn’t want to play international cricket anymore.
“He’s been a terrific performer for England over the years and has my full respect as a cricketer, but unfortunately, over the last few years, he’s not performed like he is capable of performing.”
Harmison is joined in the international wilderness by Ravi Bopara and Owais Shah with Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott named among just six specialist batsmen.
Surrey wicketkeeper Steven Davies gets the nod to deputise for Matt Prior.
ENGLAND TEST SQUAD
A Strauss (capt), A Cook, J Anderson, I Bell, S Broad, P Collingwood, S Davies, G Onions, K Pietersen, L Plunkett, M Prior, A Rashid, R Sidebottom, G Swann, J Trott, L Wright
ENGLAND ONE-DAY SQUAD
A Strauss (capt), J Anderson, T Bresnan, S Broad, P Collingwood, A Cook (Essex), J Denly, S Mahmood, E Morgan, G Onions, K Pietersen, M Prior, A Rashid, G Swann, J Trott, L Wright