July 30, 2008	Wednesday	Rajab 26, 1429

BIRMINGHAM, July 29: Stephen Harmison is confident he will be able to focus on regaining his England place despite being omitted from the squad for the third Test against South Africa.

The fast bowler’s inclusion in a 13-man party was the most eye-catching decision when the England selectors unveiled their squad at the weekend following a 10-wicket second Test defeat at Headingley that left them 1-0 down in the four-Test series with two to play.

England appear to be banking on the Durham fast bowler’s extra pace to upset the South Africa top order although it was the failure of the home side’s batsmen that proved the key to their undoing in Leeds.

Harmison was dropped after England’s first Test defeat away to New Zealand in March, having too often failed to make the most of his natural talent.

And question marks have also been raised about his resolve, especially away from home, with his extraordinarily wide first ball in the 2006-07 Ashes symbolic of what some believe is a flaky mental approach.

Former England captain Michael Atherton is among those who remain unconvinced by Harmison’s credentials, saying his return was “as uninspiring as his recent record in international cricket and his attitude”.

But Harmison, 10th in England’s all-time list of most successful Test bowlers with 212 wickets, insists the fuss won’t bother him.

“I’m not looking to prove any points, the selectors made a decision and everybody is talking about them,” said Harmison, who has taken 75 wickets in all cricket this season.

“They made a call months ago to leave me and Matthew Hoggard out and went six games without changing the team. They went six games playing well and at the time it was the right decision.

“Now they made a choice last week and it didn’t work for them, the one in New Zealand did. I’ve got a chance now to stake my claim and I’m looking forward to it.”

He added: “I can only do what I’ve been doing and if I play this week or next week it doesn’t matter as long as I’m at that stage where I’m near the top of the ladder at where I want to be.”—AFP