England recall Harmison

26 July 2008

Steve Harmison's last Test appearance was in New Zealand during March

Durham pair Steve Harmison and Paul Collingwood have been included in a 13-man England squad for the forthcoming third npower Test match against South Africa at Edgbaston starting on Wednesday July 30.

National selector Geoff Miller today named Harmison and Collingwood in the squad alongside Nottinghamshire seamer Ryan Sidebottom who missed the second npower Test at Headingley Carnegie due to a back injury.

Nottinghamshire bowler Darren Pattinson, who made his England debut during the second Test, has made way for the returning Sidebottom.

Harmison’s last Test match for England was against New Zealand at Hamilton in March while Collingwood remains in the England squad after missing the Headingley Carnegie Test last week.

Miller said: “Steve Harmison 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.

“Ryan Sidebottom 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.

“Paul Collingwood was unlucky to miss out on a place in the team for the second npower 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.

“After a tough match at Headingley Carnegie I know the England team is looking forward to an improved performance in the third npower Test and levelling the series against a very good South African side.”

England squad for third npower Test versus South Africa:

Michael Vaughan (Yorkshire, captain)
Tim Ambrose (Warwickshire)
James Anderson (Lancashire)
Ian Bell (Warwickshire)
Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)
Paul Collingwood (Durham)
Alastair Cook (Essex)
Andrew Flintoff (Lancashire)
Steve Harmison (Durham)
Monty Panesar (Northamptonshire)
Kevin Pietersen (Hampshire)
Ryan Sidebottom (Nottinghamshire)
Andrew Strauss (Middlesex)