MELBOURNE, Nov 12: Former England captain Nasser Hussain has flayed Steve Harmison for his recent lacklustre performances saying the fast bowler had only himself to blame and should work harder in his preparation.

“Steve has only got himself to blame. He needs to have a look at the amount of bowling he has put in and needs to realise that when he is not bowling well he needs to put in twice the effort,” Hussain said on Sunday.

He said Harmison must lift his tempo with the Ashes opener in Brisbane due in 11 days. Harmison did not play in England's tour opening debacle against the Prime Minister's XI on Friday but gets his chance to impress in a three-day game against New South Wales. “At the moment it is a concern as he is all over the place,” Hussain told 'Courier Mail' adding “Harmison is a rhythm bowler and he needs to bowl frequently.

The Durham paceman, 28, has swung between terrific and terrible in a year also blighted by injury.

“He is the sort of bowler that needs to bowl every day,” Hussain said.

“Between now and the first Test, that is what he has to do to find his rhythm.” “They (Australia) might go with five bowlers because Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne can't bowl the overs they used to, Hussain said.

“They might have to go to five bowlers by bringing in Shane Watson. If that happens, Adam Gilchrist at No 6 becomes the key wicket and, for me, that will be a crucial part of the game.” —Agencies