Steve Harmison will resist any attempts by England's hierarchy to hide him from Australia's view as both sides try and claim a crucial advantage in the build-up to the Ashes series.

The 26-year-old Durham fast bowler has been earmarked as the key player in England's Ashes strategy, whose battle with Australia's highly-regarded top order could decide the outcome of cricket's oldest contest.

There is a belief, however, that playing Harmison in every NatWest Series match against Australia will give them and their coach John Buchanan, who is famed for his meticulous preparations, more time to develop a strategy against him.

Harmison provided evidence he could be a significant threat this summer during Sunday's stunning three-wicket victory over Australia in Bristol when he claimed three wickets in four balls and finished with career best one-day international figures of five for 33.

But he remains resistant to suggestions of resting him for future encounters with Australia on fatigue or strategic grounds and wants to continue an impressive run of form, which began with Durham at the start of the season.

''Why would England hide me?'' questioned Harmison. ''Would Australia hide Brett Lee or Glenn McGrath or Shane Warne? I don't think so.

''What would be the point of it because they've played against me before and I don't really think there's any point in hiding anybody.

''I'm sure England will look after me and not play me in every game between now and the Ashes on fitness grounds, but while things are going well for me I want to play in as many games as possible and I'm sure England will be quite happy on me doing that.''

Australia's last glimpse of Harmison was when he struggled with wides and no-balls during the Ashes tour two years ago, but showed glimpses of his potential by making their top order hop around before clinching a close victory in Melbourne.

He has since developed into a significant presence and was briefly ranked as the world's number one bowler, while his performance in Bristol has convinced coach Duncan Fletcher that he has already won a few psychological battles.

''That's the best I've seen him bowl,'' enthused Fletcher. ''His lines and lengths were so impressive that I don't think he's bowled that consistently even in a Test match - you could see the Australians didn't enjoy facing him.''

For all the success and clamour he has enjoyed recently - only overshadowed by the superlatives directed at Kevin Pietersen following his match-winning innings at the County Ground - Harmison remains a firm disciple of the team ethic.I don't think I'm the big thing that everybody is talking about,'' he stressed. "The big thing for England is that all 11 players perform.

''If you look at our game against Australia I think we had more players that performed on the day and that's why we won the game and if we can continue that then hopefully we can be victorious in the Ashes series.

''It's not going to be one man that wins this Test series. No one man is going to win the Ashes for Australia and there is definitely not going to be one man winning it for England.''

That squad will be reinforced by the return of Ashley Giles today, who has recovered from the hip injury which sidelined him for the Test series mauling of Bangladesh and the opening two matches of the triangular tournament.

Giles successfully came through Warwickshire's totesport league match on Sunday and rejoined the squad yesterday and will come into contention for England's day-night encounter with Bangladesh, while Gareth Batty returns to county cricket to help Worcestershire's Twenty20 campaign.

The return of their senior spinner should help balance out an England line-up who noticeably struggled to use up the overs normally provided by a fifth bowler against Australia, although their confidence remains undimmed.

''It doesn't matter whether we bowl first or whether we chase, there is a belief that we can do anything,'' added Harmison.

''There's a great belief and confidence in both squads that we can do it.We believe we can win games. No matter what happens, we believe we can cross the line and do it and the longer we keep believing the more successful we'll be.'