Shock as Harmison returns for ODI

Eurosport - Fri, 22 Aug 22:11:00 2008

Steve Harmison has dramatically reversed his decision to retire from one-day international cricket and joined up with England's squad for the NatWest Series against South Africa.

CRICKET; Steve Harmison, England, ODI, Aug 2008 - 0

The 29-year-old Durham fast bowler played the last of his 46 one-day internationals during the Champions Trophy in India two years ago and retired from one-day cricket following the 2006/7 Ashes series to spend more time from his family.

But after being asked to reconsider his decision by England's management - and new captain Kevin Pietersen in particular - Harmison has agreed to come out of retirement and has joined the squad for Friday's day-night international at Headingley.

"After recently being asked by the England management to reassess my retirement from international one-day cricket I've decided to join England's squad for the NatWest Series after careful consideration," said Harmison.

"It's something I have been thinking about for a period of time and due to recent injuries in the England camp the opportunity has arisen for me to play a role in this series."

Harmison will replace Nottinghamshire left-arm seamer Ryan Sidebottom, who has failed to recover from a niggling hip injury and has been ruled out of the start of the five-match series.

England remain hopeful Sidebottom will be fit for the second match in the series at Trent Bridge on Tuesday, but for the time being they are welcoming the return of Harmison into their one-day ranks.

Harmison said: "I decided to retire from England's ODI team for a number reasons, one being the amount of time I was spending away from my family.

"Now that my family is settled and my bowling is settled I feel I have something to offer England's ODI side and am looking forward to playing a part in the NatWest Series against South Africa.

"Having missed out on selection at various times this year I am well aware of the disappointment that comes from not being a part of the England dressing room.

"With that in mind I want to be a part of the team and if that means bringing myself out of retirement to play a role in this upcoming NatWest Series then I'm happy to do just that.

"At the moment my focus is on doing well in the ODIs against South Africa and I'm not looking beyond that at this stage."

Ironically, Harmison's last one-day international appearance for England was at Headingley two years ago when he was smashed for 97 runs in 10 overs by Sri Lanka's batsman to record the worst ever figures by an England bowler.

Since then he has been dropped by England from their Test line-up, only to perform impressively on his return in the final Test against South Africa at the Oval, which was Pietersen's first match as the new captain.

Pietersen has since admitted he has asked Harmison to reconsider his retirement from one-day international cricket, which has since been followed up by discussions with coach Peter Moores, and that finally swayed his decision.

Sporting Life / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 10 of 10

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  1. The guy's rrrrrrubbish. Grevious Bodily Harmison-you're having a laaaaaaugh

    From Cameron D, on Fri 22 Aug 5:38PM

  2. bet harmys got a nice large bat. he can spank me daft with it anytime

    From lindseyrussell69, on Fri 22 Aug 12:58PM

  3. come on harmy. fill yer boots. geordie boy

    From lindseyrussell69, on Fri 22 Aug 12:42PM

  4. Harmy back as a one-day player? Hmmm - not over confident about it, he could be the highest run contributor for Safrica. We shall see.
    When KP nominated Shah for the no.3 position my hopes were raised. At last we were getting rid of 'will I ever be a good test player?' Bell. But no, they've put him in to open.
    I cannot believe this guy gets so many opportunities. For four years he has clung to a place on his potential yet he constantly fails under pressure, I believe that he is probably the biggest single reason why England have poor performances, he puts the skids under the whole team. Yes, I know he has got some good scores but only against the minnows and when everyone else is getting runs. Put him up front with responsibility and he fails.

    From Ray S, on Fri 22 Aug 11:59AM

  5. hahaha, there comes Mr free Runs, he is good for test matches but Odi Match i doubt his ability, well we will see this afternoon how things go.....Good Luck to the Proteas

    From bkmotsepe, on Fri 22 Aug 7:10AM

  6. Good for him. He did well in the last test = D

    From bstar@..., on Thu 21 Aug 11:09PM

  7. yeah he only come back cos all the money bein thrown around the one dayers and 20-20 matches,another english sportsman driven by money

    From wigster7, on Thu 21 Aug 10:30PM

  8. england can only benefit, opponents can only tremble.

    From jimturnbull@..., on Thu 21 Aug 9:36PM

  9. Great to hear Steve Harmison is back,because on the form he's at once again, it add's a profound impact to the one day game,batter's jumping like cricket's so to speak.

    From eniall, on Thu 21 Aug 8:50PM

  10. good stuff, he was brilliant in the last test match,a valuable asset for englands team.

    From Tupac, on Thu 21 Aug 7:24PM
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