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Harmison gives selectors a nudge after testing Australian batsmen
Steve Harmison insisted the desire to play for England burns as bright as ever as he gave Australia a testing work-out in their final match before the Ashes gets under way.
Harmison turned out for the England Lions at Worcester and bowled with fire and pace in returning three for 67 from 22 overs as Australia closed on 337 for eight from 90 overs.
Amongst his victims was Australian opener Phillip Hughes who, at the age of 20, averages 60 in Test cricket but looked vulnerable to the short ball from Harmison.
Harmison does not expect to play in the opening test at Cardiff but hopes he has laid down a marker to be involved later in the five-match showdown with Ricky Ponting's side.
He said: "I probably would not play at Cardiff. That would be a pleasant surprise. All the talk is of playing two spinners down there. If the chance came, I would jump at the chance. I'd love to play. I'm desperate to play for England."
Harmison also believes Australia are suffering from a crisis of confidence.
He said: "This is my fourth time against Australia and the one thing I picked up on the day before the game is that they are not as brash and confident as they normally are.
"I can't put my finger on it. Maybe it is to do with the side gelling together or whether they don't have the big players of recent years, and the confidence you get from that.
"But they don't seem to be the confident Australia I've known. I think there is only Ricky Ponting and Brett Lee who have played more Ashes tests than myself in the two squads. There are things you pick up on like body language. I've seen a little chink there. It is understandable because there are not the players in their side from bygone years."
Alastair Cook has declared England's get-together before the start of the Ashes a great success after scoring a timely century in their warm-up match against Warwickshire.
The Essex left-hander was one of the few positives to come out of the opening day of three in their warm-up match at Edgbaston, scoring a determined 124 in nearly four hours at the crease as England declared on 290 for eight.
But despite being the only England player to reach 50 Cook believes the squad camp has helped in their preparation for the first Test in Cardiff next Wednesday.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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