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Sunday, 22 October 2006, 14:21 GMT 15:21 UK

Fletcher calls for Harmison focus

Harmison's 29 legal deliveries cost 45 runs on Saturday England coach Duncan Fletcher has suggested complacency in one-day cricket is behind pace bowler Steve Harmison's recent struggle for form.

Harmison saw his first over against Australia hit for 20 runs and his 29 legal deliveries went for a total of 45 in Saturday's six-wicket defeat.

"He has to work hard and not take his game for granted," Fletcher said.

But the coach saw Harmison's dismissal of Damien Martyn as proof he had not completely lost confidence.

"In the one-day game he seems to have some concerns about his control, which he can get away with in Test cricket, and I think that puts a little bit of pressure on him," he explained.

"Everyone has some sort of technical flaw but it is knowing you have worked at your game and done everything you could to prepare which counteracts your technical deficiencies.

"When your confidence goes your technical deficiencies become accentuated and you don't seem to have control."

"To some degree the World Cup is coming a bit too soon"
Duncan Fletcher

Duncan Fletcher

Unless England beat West Indies heavily on Saturday, and India win their two remaining games by landslide margins, Fletcher's players will not qualify for the Champions Trophy semi-finals.

Fletcher again blamed injuries for England's lack of consistency in the 50-over game as they have lost 19 of their last 24 completed matches against Test-playing nations.

During that period they have fielded 34 players.

They are currently without veterans Marcus Trescothick, who has a stress-related illness, and Ashley Giles, who is in India but not an official squad member as he completes his recovery from hip surgery.

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The VB Series in Australia in January offers England a maximum of 11 one-day matches and Fletcher admitted: "To some degree the World Cup is coming a bit too soon.

"(But) I believe that in any tournament there can be a surprise package. With a young side things suddenly fall into place - that's what can happen.

"We built a very competitive one-day side and got the results last summer when we competed against Australia on equal terms.

"When in the one-day side since have we had fewer than three or four players missing?"



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