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09:34 GMT, Saturday, 26 July 2008 10:34 UK

Harmison handed recall by England

Steve Harmison

England have recalled Durham fast bowler Steve Harmison for the crucial third Test against South Africa, which starts at Edgbaston on Wednesday.

The 29-year-old has not played a Test since March but, along with Paul Collingwood and a fit-again Ryan Sidebottom, is in the 13-man squad.

Darren Pattinson, a surprise late call-up for the second Test, and Chris Tremlett have both been left out.

England are 1-0 down in the series with two Tests left to play.

Changes were expected to England's attack, which has managed just 13 wickets in the last 344.3 overs sent down to South Africa in the series.

"Ryan Sidebottom has been progressing well with his back injury over the past week and we're confident he'll be fit for selection"
National selector Geoff Miller

Harmison was dropped after a poor display in England's heavy defeat on the winter tour of New Zealand but he has regained his pace and accuracy at Durham.

He is the leading wicket-taker in Division One of the County Championship this season, taking 41 wickets in nine first-class games at an average of 22.8.

"Steve has been bowling well for Durham this season and his inclusion in the Test squad gives us another option in terms of our bowling attack for the Edgbaston Test," said national selector Geoff Miller.

Pattinson received a shock international debut after just 11 first-class appearances, with the more experienced Harmison, Tremlett, Matthew Hoggard and Simon Jones all overlooked.

But the Nottinghamshire bowler made an uninspired debut in England's 10-wicket defeat and returns to his county.

606: DEBATE
"Stupid decision to recall Harmison - the African batsmen will be in stitches with this decision"
gileswoodred

Reigning England player of the year Sidebottom, whose back injury led to Pattinson and Tremlett being called up, is expected to be fit.

"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," added Miller.

There were also concerns about the strength of England's batting line-up in the second Test after Collingwood was dropped from the team and wicket-keeper Tim Ambrose promoted to six in the order to accommodate the return of all-rounder Andrew Flintoff.

Should England revert to a four-man attack, Collingwood - a team-mate of Harmison at Durham - would return after having his run of 33 consecutive appearances ended at Headingley.

"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," Miller explained.

"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 for the third Test against South Africa:

MP Vaughan (capt, Yorkshire), AN Cook (Essex), AJ Strauss (Middlesex), KP Pietersen (Hampshire), IR Bell (Warwickshire), PD Collingwood (Durham), A Flintoff (Lancashire), TR Ambrose (wkt, Warwickshire), SCJ Broad (Nottinghamshire), RJ Sidebottom (Nottinghamshire), SJ Harmison (Durham), JM Anderson (Lancashire), MS Panesar (Northamptonshire).



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Related to this story:

Jones 'ready' for England recall (25 Jul 08 |  England )
Harmison happy with Durham role (21 Jul 08 |  Durham )
Pattinson pick concerns Harmison (19 Jul 08 |  England )
Pattinson wants more England caps (22 Jul 08 |  England )
Hoggard fears for England career (18 Jul 08 |  England )
Selection was confused - Vaughan (21 Jul 08 |  England )
Boycott hails Broad performance (22 Jul 08 |  England )
England crash to 10-wicket defeat (21 Jul 08 |  England )
England drop Harmison and Hoggard (12 Mar 08 |  England )
South Africa in England in 2008 (14 Nov 07 |  Cricket )

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