Steve Harmison set for England recall

Fast bowler Steve Harmison, included in the squad as cover for Andrew Flintoff, has been tipped for the England team that starts the Second Test against Australia tomorrow by the groundsman at Lord's, where the game will take place.

Mick Hunt told the Guardian: "This pitch has a nice coverage of grass and maybe more pace and carry than we've sometimes had. Harmison gave [the Australians] a going over four years ago, so why not play him here? The pitch really looks the part and it may do a bit in the first session."

Although England lost the 2005 Test on this ground that opened that year's series, Harmison's five-wicket spell in the first innings included a venomous 90mph+ delivery that drew blood after hitting Australian captain Ricky Ponting in the face, and subsequently became Ashes history.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
Paul Newman, Daily Mail: "It was somehow apt that Steve Harmison was not at Lord's yesterday to begin preparing for his latest incarnation as England's potential spearhead. His tendency to go missing in action has been the reason why he has failed to maintain the spectacular standards which saw him once become the best fast bowler in the world. Officially, Harmison was picked in a squad of 14 for this second Ashes Test as a 'like-for-like' cover for Andrew Flintoff but that smacked of the selectors trying to justify his umpteenth call-up and it appears that he has every chance of returning at Lord's whether Flintoff is fit or not."

Paul Weaver, the Guardian: "The England selectors are still sweating on the fitness of Andrew Flintoff, who batted both outdoors and indoors yesterday but did not bowl as he gave his sore right knee a chance to heal. 'Fred saw his surgeon yesterday and he is quite optimistic about him playing in this Test,' England's coach, Andy Flower, said yesterday. 'He had an injection yesterday and we're letting it settle down today, so he won't bowl and just bat. But he will bowl tomorrow and we'll see how he is and make a decision from there. Fred knows he body quite well now and he will know after training in the next couple of days whether he will be able to make a contribution to this Test.'"

Richard Hobson, the Times: "Although Stephen Harmison was chosen in the squad ostensibly as a stand-in for Flintoff, Flower suggested that the pair may play together, defending the Durham bowler against accusations of letting down England in the past. 'I never drew a line under Steve,' Flower said. 'If that is the perception people have, I can do nothing about it. His form has gone up and down, as it does with all cricketers, but he has a good record.'" ·