Harmison: Not expecting to be in action at Cardiff
I've made it difficult for everyone. I've made it difficult for the selectors
Steve Harmison
Quotes of the week
Steve Harmison does not expect to play in the first Ashes Test in Cardiff, despite impressing for the England Lions against Australia.
The Durham paceman pushed his claims for an international recall with several hostile spells against the tourists in the warm-up fixture at New Road.
Australia opener Phil Hughes certainly struggled against the 30-year-old, being dismissed twice in the match by short deliveries.
While admitting he has made life tough for the national selectors, Harmison believes England will pick two spinners for the series opener.
"I've made it difficult for everyone. I've made it difficult for the selectors," he said. "But I don't think they will pick me for Cardiff.
"I think they are going to play two spinners in that game so I don't fit into that plan.
"I fully understand if that is the case. I will go back and play for Durham, work hard and try again for Lord's. If I still don't get in then, they know I'm fit and causing Australia problems if and when they need me.
"They know what I'm about but if they don't pick me, it will probably mean England are winning the series."
England name their squad for the opening Test on Sunday morning, live on Sky Sports 1, before the start of the Friends Provident Trophy semi-final between Lancashire and Hampshire.

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| Fixture |
|---|
| Sunday 8th November |
| One Day Int First Match |
| South Africa vs Zimbabwe |
| One Day Int Sixth Match |
| India vs Australia |
| Tour Match One Day Match |
| vs England |
| Monday 9th November |
| One Day Int Third Match |
| Pakistan vs New Zealand |
| Women's T20 Int First Women's Twenty20 International |
| West Indies Women vs England Women |
| Tuesday 10th November |
| One Day Int Second Match |
| South Africa vs Zimbabwe |
| Tour Match One Day Match |
| South Africa A vs England |
| Women's T20 Int Second Women's Twenty20 International |
| West Indies Women vs England Women |
| Wednesday 11th November |
| One Day Int Seventh Match |
| India vs Australia |
| Thursday 12th November |
| Int Twenty20 First Match |
| Pakistan vs New Zealand |
| Result |
|---|
| Saturday 7th November |
| Women's One Day International Series |
| West Indies Women vs England Women West Indies Women won by 1 wickets. |
| Friday 6th November |
| One Day International Series |
| Pakistan vs New Zealand New Zealand won by 64 runs. |
| Tour Match |
| Diamond Eagles vs England XI England won by 185 runs. |
| Women's One Day International Series |
| West Indies Women vs England Women England Women won by 13 runs. |
| Thursday 5th November |
| One Day International Series |
| Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe Bangladesh won by 1 wickets. |
| India vs Australia Australia won by 3 runs. |
| Wednesday 4th November |
| Under 19 One Day International Series |
| Bangladesh Under 19 vs England Under 19 Bangladesh Under 19 won by 8 runs. |
| Women's One Day International Series |
| West Indies Women vs England Women West Indies Women won by 40 runs. |
| Tuesday 3rd November |
| One Day International Series |
| Pakistan vs New Zealand Pakistan won by 138 runs. |
| Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe Bangladesh won by 6 wickets. |
Andy Flower talks about his early ties to South Africa as England prepare to take on the Proteas.
Winning the Ashes has raised the stakes for Andrew Strauss in South Africa this winter, says Michael Vaughan.
Yuvraj Singh has closed the gap on Sky Sports International Sixes League leader Chris Gayle.
New Zealand are hoping to have a new coach in place by the end of the year with several leading names in the frame.
Australia cruised to a six-wicket win in the sixth One Day International to take an unassailable 4-2 lead in the seven-match series.
Launch the skysports.com scorecentre for the latest from England's second tour match in South Africa.
The one-day series between Pakistan and New Zealand is set for an exciting climax in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
Australia captain Ricky Ponting was proud of the way his side overcame a spate of injuries to win the one-day series in India.
Comments (1)
Yusuf Salahudeen says...
Well Hughes really struggled against the likes of Harmison. He is really a good bowler. Hopefully he can get a place.
Posted 18:22 4th July 2009