Donald to fire up Harmison

Allan Donald © Getty Images

Allan Donald has immediately set to work in his new role as England’s temporary bowling coach and focused on rediscovering the lost form of misfiring spearhead Steve Harmison.

The 40-year-old former South Africa fast bowler has been hired by new England coach Peter Moores to oversee the seamers for the next five weeks, and try and mould them into a more consistent unit.

Without the accuracy of the injured Matthew Hoggard and Andrew Flintoff, England have relied on Durham pair Harmison and Liam Plunkett, but they have failed to produce their best against West Indies despite England’s dominance in the series.

However, Donald believes the vast experience he gained in 72 Tests and 164 one-day internationals can help improve that consistency, and he used his first day at work with the squad to have a long chat with Harmison during the practice session at Old Trafford.

“I’ve asked the technical guys to put together some comparisons from when he was bowling well, right up until now,” explained Donald.

“At this stage I am just going to observe and take it from there.

“I was a rhythm bowler and I see Harmy as a rhythm bowler as well.

“Sometimes, if there is something missing in your action, it just won’t click.

“I am convinced that, as the season goes on, it won’t take him long to get back to his best.”

Harmison returned from this winter’s tour of Australia with his international future under threat after a miserable Ashes series, but responded superbly by claiming 24 wickets in only three championship matches for Durham.

But once he returned to the Test arena, Harmison struggled once again and he has claimed only six wickets in the opening two Tests - two fewer than left-arm seamer Ryan Sidebottom in his comeback Test at Headingley Carnegie.

Allan Donald believes that Steve Harmison will be back to his best shortly

Donald, though, does not believe Harmison needs much to click and the familiar surroundings of Old Trafford - where he claimed 11 wickets to help England to an innings victory over Pakistan last summer - could be the key to emerging from his slump.

“It’s not that he is out of form right now - it’s just that every now and again he has been a little bit inconsistent,” said Donald, who finished his career with 330 wickets in Tests and 272 in one-dayers.

“He is a quality, world-class bowler and some high-class players who have faced him have spoken very highly of him, so there is no problem - he will be back.

“There’s no question that Harmy knows what he can do for the team and the team know what he can do.

“It may just take two or three wickets in the first session on Thursday and he is back.”

Donald stressed: “I want to make it clear, I don’t think he is out of form, but he is a confidence bowler, like I was, and I needed to bowl a lot to become confident.

“Sometimes you get to a ground and you just fancy the look of it, you fancy the end you are bowling from.

“I watched that match against Pakistan last year and Harmy got some nasty bounce and wasn’t a pleasant bloke to face.”

Old Trafford groundsman Pete Marron is expecting a hard and fast surface similar to last year’s wicket and, although James Anderson will join the squad on Wednesday evening to cover for any last-minute injuries or illnesses, England will retain the same side that thrashed West Indies by an innings and 283 runs at Headingley Carnegie.