Gibson hails Harmison haul

Steve Harmison in action for Highveld Lions © Getty Images

England bowling coach Ottis Gibson praised Steve Harmison following his successful return to first-class cricket.

Harmison took nine wickets for South African side Highveld Lions as he bids for a place on England’s three-Test tour of Sri Lanka.

Despite the touring party having been selected, coach Peter Moores has left the door open for the Durham pace bowler, who has not played for England since June due to a hernia injury.

In the first of two matches for the Lions, Harmison weighed in with 6-91 off 27.3 overs and 3-78 against Cape Cobras on a slow wicket in Paarl.

His showing in the match pleased Gibson, who played alongside Harmison at Chester-le-Street last season.

“First day, first innings, it was his first ball since July, so you expected probably that he wasn't going to go in at 100 per cent," said Gibson.

Ottis Gibson is pleased with how Harmison has performed

“He's here to sort of get back into things and he was obvious a little bit rusty for a start.

“The second innings was a lot better - a lot more control - and he's obviously had a lot more bowling under his belt and it showed. He bowled quite well and in pretty good areas.”

Harmison conceded 23 extras in the first innings but showed a marked improvement in his control and accuracy as the game progressed.

Gibson said: “He only bowled two wides in the second innings as opposed to twenty in the first innings, so all in all he is obviously quite pleased and so am I.”

The West Indian is on the two-game trip with Harmison to assess his rehabilitation, but was quick to point out the decision on whether the fast bowler toured Sri Lanka was not in his hands.

“I'm feeding back information to them (the selectors) all the time on how he's going, his mindset and the wickets,” Gibson continued.

Harmison could be added to England's touring squad

“I suppose for England the biggest issue is that we need him to be firing and bowling up to Test standard and he himself wants to be bowling up to Test standard.

“But the ultimate decision isn't mine, so the selectors have that decision to make.”

Gibson added that Harmison must be content with his own game before he was ready to re-enter the international arena.

“I think as long as he's happy in himself that he's bowling well then obviously he's going to move on to Sri Lanka," he said. "I don't think he would want to go to Sri Lanka if he didn't feel like he was ready for that.

“He will know whether he is ready or not, because he has been around that environment and I'm sure he will know whether he is ready for international cricket or not.

“He's an experienced cricketer and he knows what will be required of him when he goes to Sri Lanka. He knows where he is now in relation to where he needs to be and whether he is not there yet.

“But he’s still got another game next and the way he's bowled in the second innings gives him a lot more confidence going into that game next week.”