Harmison out, but there’s a Test place for Plunkett (From The Northern Echo)

Harmison out, but there’s a Test place for Plunkett

9:32am Friday 9th October 2009

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STEVE Harmison may have bowled his last ball for England after being overlooked for the tour of South Africa.

Despite national selector Geoff Miller insisting the door was still open for the Durham paceman, England are looking towards the future in this winter’s series.

And that means a place in the squad for Harmison’s Riverside team-mate Liam Plunkett, as well as Graham Onions and Paul Collingwood.

Although 30-year-old Harmison played in the final two Ashes Tests of the summer, he has paid the price for long-term inconsistent form, having in 2004 been ranked the world’s number one bowler.

Harmison indicated he did not want to tour Australia in 2010/2011, and indeed would consider announcing his formal retirement from international cricket if England did not give assurances he would be more than a ‘‘bit-part’’ player.

While Miller maintained Harmison could yet force his way back into the squad, time does not appear to be on his side. ‘‘His performances, certainly over the last two or three tours, have not mirrored what he was capable of doing,’’ Millar said.

‘‘We had to keep an eye not only on the present day, but on the future as well.

‘‘Steve stated he did not want to tour Australia in 2010- 11, so we had to think about the future as well.

‘‘So consequently, and unfortunately for Steve, he has not been selected.

‘‘We have got to keep the conveyor belt working and know what Steve is capable of doing, and yes, we have to move on to think about Australia in 2010.’’ Plunkett, on holiday in America said: “I was annoyed to get a phone call at 4am in the morning in America! But it was nice to hear.

“It’s probably been my best season for Durham, everything gelled and came together.

“I’ve grown up since the last time I played for England.

England have a good Test squad, I know I might not get a go, but I’m ready and waiting.

I’m ready to fight for my spot.

“I suppose England are looking ahead to the next Ashes series and the future, I hope to be a part of that.’’ Miller announced 16-man Test and one-day squads, with Ravi Bopara, Owais Shah and spinner Monty Panesar also missing out, although South Africa-born Kevin Pietersen was included as he recovers from an Achilles operation.

Miller was adamant Harmison will remain in the selectors’ thoughts for as long as he is available.

‘‘He didn’t mention that (retirement) to me at all, but obviously that opportunity is there for him,’’ said Miller.

‘‘We will continue to consider (him) until a decision is made that he doesn’t want to play international cricket anymore.’’ Pietersen, 29, has been sidelined since hobbling out of the Ashes victory at Lord’s during July and heading for an operation.

His recovery then received a setback when the scar caused by the surgery became infected.

Although he is not certain to be fit for the two Twenty20 internationals on November 13 and 15, the England hierarchy remain optimistic Pietersen will return during the five-match one-day series, which begins on November 20 in Johannesburg and concludes a fortnight later in Durban.

Miller said: ‘‘He is very optimistic.

It has been a big injury and a big rehab.

‘‘There might be a problem for the Twenty20, but he is pretty confident he will get there for some of the one-dayers.

Collingwood was selected despite being forced out of the Champions League with a torn buttock muscle.

The Test squad, missing Andrew Flintoff following his retirement, also contains three uncapped players: Surrey wicketkeeper Steven Davies, Yorkshire leg-spinner Adil Rashid and the Sussex all-rounder Luke Wright.

Essex opener Alastair Cook is the Test vice-captain and he has also been recalled to the one-day squad together with quick bowler Sajid Mahmood.

Jonathan Trott, who made a century on his Test debut against Australia at The Oval during the summer, is in both squads.

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