Harmison pledges to give his best in Pakistan by AFP

---

Player:	SJ Harmison
Event:	England in Pakistan 2005/06

---

DateLine: 5th November 2005

 

Paceman Steve Harmison Friday pledged to do his best during England's tour of Pakistan, where conditions are unlikely to suit his style of bowling.

 

"We know it's going to be a difficult tour, especially after the Ashes," Harmison told reporters when asked about switching from the favourable English conditions to the flat tracks of Pakistan.

 

"Our plan here might be different to what it has been in the last two years because of the conditions," he said.

 

"But whatever plan it is, whether it's attacking them with spin or whether we carry on with seam, we'll all give it our best efforts."

 

England, buoyed by their 2-1 summer Ashes triumph over Australia, face a tricky series against Pakistan, whose grassless strips often frustrate fast bowlers.

 

Harmison took 17 wickets in the five Ashes Tests but is likely to find it hard to improve his below-average record away from home on the current tour.

 

The lanky bowler from the northern English city of Durham will have the first test of his skills on Pakistani pitches when England play Pakistan A in their second warm-up match starting in Lahore on Sunday.

 

Harmison and Ashes hero Andrew Flintoff joined the rest of the squad on Thursday after having a week off to recover from playing for the World XI in the Super Test in Australia last month.

 

The duo missed England's come-from-behind victory in the opening tour match against the Pakistan Cricket Board Patron's XI at Rawalpindi, a match where Harmison's Durham teammate Liam Plunkett impressed with six wickets.

 

"I've seen his career since he was a 16-year-old and I've always thought he's got something," said Harmison.

 

"Medium-pacers have struggled in international cricket lately but Liam's a little bit quicker and that's why he'll get wickets in Test cricket."

 

England take on Pakistan in the first of three Tests at Multan, starting on November 12. The Tests will be followed by a five-match one-day series.

(Article: Copyright © 2005 AFP)