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England pair find timely form
The impressive Steve Harmison bowls Mark Orchard on the way to figures of 5-100 in Dunedin
Watch Steve Harmison's end of day press conference on ECBtv.
Steve Harmison and Andrew Strauss typified England's impressive response to their disappointing opening-day display with telling contributions in their final warm-up match before the start of the Test series against New Zealand.
Fast bowler Harmison and opener Strauss struggled on the opening day of their three-day match against a strong Selection XI, who established a 46-run lead by reaching 177 for four after dismissing the tourists for 131 in Dunedin.
But on a rain-affected second day they led England's fightback, Harmison finishing with 5-100 while Strauss recovered from a first-innings score of five to finish unbeaten on 55 as the tourists opened up a 15-run lead by reaching 155 for three.
It was an impressive turnaround by England, who suffered further injury worries to both seamer Chris Tremlett and all-rounder Paul Collingwood to join hamstring victim Ryan Sidebottom on the sidelines.
Harmison was called into the attack after Tremlett left the field after only five overs complaining of pain in the same left side which was scanned only last weekend. It was later announced that he will soon be returning to England and will play no further part in the tour.
Already deprived of Collingwood's athleticism in the field - he was also off the field as a precaution against a right hamstring strain - England needed a boost and Harmison provided it in his fourth over of the day.
He was initially wayward and sent several balls down the leg side, but struck with just such a delivery when Grant Elliott was caught behind by wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose.
New batsman Mark Orchard followed next ball when he shouldered arms to ball which continued into his stumps to give Harmison the chance of a hat-trick.
Bevan Griggs survived the hat-trick ball but Mathew Sinclair, who had battled for over an hour and a half for his 47, pushed at left-arm spinner Monty Panesar and gave Strauss a catch at first slip three overs later.
Harmison completed his five-wicket haul, with both Griggs and Jeetan Patel edging attempting expansive drives outside off stump to end an impressive spell.
Panesar completed the Selection XI's demise when last man Mark Gillespie was caught at long-on to leave England with a 140-run deficit and eight overs to negotiate until the tea interval.
Any hopes of surviving that period unscathed ended when captain Michael Vaughan, who lasted just two balls in the first innings, edged behind for 13.
Alastair Cook followed two overs later when he mistimed an attempted pull off Gillespie and looped the ball to deep square-leg, allowing Strauss to team up with Kevin Pietersen needing crucial runs to secure a Test place.
Out of touch during his first innings in the match, Strauss looked nervous early in his innings but gained enough confidence to play his part in a 90-run stand with Pietersen.
Pietersen fell in identical circumstances to his dismissal in the first innings, an aggressive drive off Orchard which he edged behind after registering his second half-century in the match.
But Strauss' 146 minutes at the crease would have pleased England most as they attempt to give as many players as possible the match practice necessary for next week's opening Test.
