Harmison's turn to miss the bus by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

---

Player:	SJ Harmison
Event:	Australia in British Isles 2009

---

DateLine: 5th July 2009

 

Steve Harmison's inspiring performances against the Australians this week could not convince selectors to give him a place in the England's squad for the first Test beginning July 8 at Cardiff.

 

The right-arm fast bowler claimed six wickets for England Lions during their drawn match against the tourists and looked especially troublesome against dangerous Aussie opener Phil Hughes, scalping him in both innings.

 

All this though did not muster enough confidence in the mind of the selectors. They have instead opted for Durham team-mate Graham Onions in a 13-man squad.

 

Onions claimed 10 wickets in the one-sided series win over West Indies earlier this summer and has been added to the England line-up who drew their practice match against Warwickshire last week while Ian Bell is included as cover for the batting.

 

"We were delighted with the way in which the team performed in the warm-up match at Edgbaston and it was very encouraging to see Andrew Flintoff bowl so well on his return to the side," said national selector Geoff Miller.

 

"We were keen to show consistency in selection and retain the nucleus of the side that performed so well against West Indies in the Test series earlier this summer.

 

"Graham Onions has made an excellent start to his Test career and gives us a different option when we consider the make-up of our bowling attack and the type of conditions we will encounter."

 

Yorkshire all-rounder Tim Bresnan has also been dropped out of the squad and his place has gone to all-rounder Andrew Flintoff.

 

Squad for first Test: Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook, Ravi Bopara, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Matt Prior, Andrew Flintoff, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Monty Panesar, Ian Bell, Graham Onions.