Harmison hits his straps

Seamer Steve Harmison has Grant Elliott caught behind by Tim Ambrose © Getty Images

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Steve Harmison exploited the opportunity presented by another injury problem to spark a spirited England revival in their final warm-up match before the first Test.

On the second day against a strong Selection XI Hampshire seamer Chris Tremlett withdrew after only five overs following a recurrence of a left side strain which has prompted England to send him home.

Tremlett’s injury left the field clear for paceman Harmison to impress and he claimed four wickets during an unbroken 10-over spell and finished with 5-100 as the Selection XI were dismissed for 271.

His improved efforts were matched by Andrew Strauss who finished unbeaten on 55 to help England claim a 15-run lead on 155 for three.

It was an impressive turnaround for an England side who were also hampered by the loss of Paul Collingwood’s athleticism in the field, after he was rested as a precaution against a right hamstring problem.

They were also without left-arm seamer Ryan Sidebottom, who is continuing to have treatment on his own right hamstring strain, while even Matthew Hoggard was forced to leave the field briefly due to sickness.

So Harmison, who was rated as the number one bowler in the world four years ago, was a source of great encouragement.

“I’m as frustrated as anybody but it’s the way I am and the way I’m made up,” said Harmison. “It’s not for the want of trying because.I try my nuts off every time I go onto the field.

“Sometimes I know at the top of my action when things aren’t going quite right but you can’t drag it back from there - I know when things aren’t going quite right but it’s after the event has happened rather than before.

Andrew Strauss gets into the groove for the Tests

“All I’ve ever done is try my best every time I go on the field and sometimes at the start of trips I get better and better through time. Now I’m just a Test player I’ve got to get better quicker - I feel that I’m on the right road but I’m not there yet.”

It was a far from perfect display from Harmison, but good enough to catch the eye of captain Michael Vaughan and coach Peter Moores as they consider their options for the Test.

“If I was perfectly honest, the way Chris Tremlett bowled I’d have been looking over my shoulder (for my place),” added Harmison. “It’s disappointing he is injured because he bowled really well.

“There’s probably only one guaranteed place on every tour and that’s the captain and after that you fight for your place and hopefully you get in - I can only do what I’ve done and got wickets on the board.

“There’s a lot of improvement to come from that and hopefully I’ll be in the team and the improvement can continue throughout the three-match series.”

But of equal importance was the form of Strauss, who began nervously and finished unbeaten having spent 146 priceless minutes unbeaten in the middle.