Cricket: Harmison left out again

LONDON - England have named an unchanged squad for the third and final test against Sri Lanka starting on Friday with strike bowler Steve Harmison being given more time to recover full match fitness.

Harmison, who sustained a shin injury during this year's tour of India, took four wickets for Durham against Sussex last week.

However, the selectors have decided to retain the squad who defeated the Sri Lankans by six wickets in the second test at Edgbaston on Sunday for the match at Trent Bridge. England lead the series 1-0.

"We were pleased with the team's performance at Edgbaston," chairman of selectors David Graveney said.

"We have opted to retain the same 12 players for the third test. Stephen Harmison is making good progress but he is not yet fully match fit and we have decided not to risk him at this stage.

"He will, however, join up with the squad at Nottingham later this week and be re-assessed by our medical staff."

The selectors' decision is both a reflection of their desire for consistency and also designed to ensure they can select from a full squad of fit players for the Ashes series starting in Australia this November.

England captain Michael Vaughan, who has been sidelined for six months with a knee injury, made his return for Yorkshire in a one-day match on Monday but fast bowler Simon Jones and left-arm spinner Ashley Giles are still out of action.

Gloucestershire swing bowler Jon Lewis, who was omitted from the final XI for both the first two tests, has again been named in the squad and will win a first cap only if the selectors decide to rest either Liam Plunkett or Sajid Mahmood.

England:
Marcus Trescothick, Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Andrew Flintoff (captain), Geraint Jones, Liam Plunkett, Matthew Hoggard, Sajid Mahmood, Monty Panesar, Jon Lewis.

- REUTERS