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| May 30, 2006 | Tuesday | Jumadi-ul-Awwal 2, 1427 |
Harmison overlooked for final Test
LONDON, May 29: England have named an unchanged squad for the third and final Test against Sri Lanka starting at Trent Bridge on Friday, meaning Steve Harmison was not included. All the eleven who featured in the six-wicket second Test win, achieved with more than a day to spare, at Edgbaston on Sunday have been retained as has uncapped seamer Jon Lewis, included for the third straight match.
That meant Harmison, England's leading fast bowler, who has been out of action with a shin injury for the past two months was overlooked.
But he will join up with the squad in Nottingham as his county, Durham, do not have a championship fixture.
Victory at Edgbaston put England 1-0 up in the series after the first Test at Lord's was drawn.
“We were pleased with the team's performance at Edgbaston,” said England's chairman of selectors, David Graveney, after announcing the squad on Monday.
Turning to Harmison, Graveney added: “Steve 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.”
Andrew Flintoff remained captain with Michael Vaughan not yet fit for Test match cricket.
Should England avoid defeat at Trent Bridge, it will be their first series win since the Ashes having lost in Pakistan and drawn in India during the northern winter.
Squad: Marcus Trescothick, Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Andrew Flintoff (captain), Geraint Jones, Liam Plunkett, Sajid Mahmood, Matthew Hoggard, Monty Panesar, Jon Lewis.—AFP
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