Harmison and Plunkett in SA

[flanflinger]

Well for all the speculation/comments about how wayward Harmison might be the fact is that he has taken wickets.

For me if he does play in Sri Lanka, it won't be as a stock bowler, but in short aggressive bursts (which is why he was so ineffective against the West Indies when he was forced into the stock bowler role). As long as he bowls aggressively, gets the batsmen hoping about and takes wickets (even if those wickets are for the guy at the other end) I don't care how many runs he gives away.

[first change]

Originally Posted by flanflinger

For me if he does play in Sri Lanka, it won't be as a stock bowler, but in short aggressive bursts (which is why he was so ineffective against the West Indies when he was forced into the stock bowler role). As long as he bowls aggressively, gets the batsmen hoping about and takes wickets (even if those wickets are for the guy at the other end) I don't care how many runs he gives away.

I agree entirely with that. But that would need to be as part of a three-seam attack. Given we're almost bound to play two spinners, that would mean a middle order and tail of Prior, Swann, Hoggard, Harmison, Panesar, Anderson. The potential for 2004-4 becoming 230 all out is very, very real.

Incidentially, 6-96!!

[flanflinger]

Originally Posted by first change

But that would need to be as part of a three-seam attack.

I don't see why? You could have two spinners bowling most of the overs, with some other overs from Collingwood, Shah, Pietersen and Bell. You could then have Hoggard doing the hard overs, after an opening spell, and Harmison coming on for short bursts?

My attack

Swann
Hoggard
Harmison
Panesar

Originally Posted by first change

Incidentially, 6-96!!

Yep, wickets, that's what bowling should be about. If he can take wickets who cares about anything else.

Also, good to see the Aussies demoralising the Sri Lanakans, they should arrive back in great spirits at this rate!!

[first change]

I think the problem is that, personally, I want to see Panesar and Swann attacking, not bowling as stock bowlers. It puts enormous pressure on Hoggard in the heat if Harmy's having a nightmare. However, I agree entirely about wickets mattering most. Assuming he keeps it up in the next three innings, and then in the warm ups, Harmison's gonna be there or there abouts. It's nicer to have a bit of a dilemma in any case.

Oh, and, whatever it does for England's chances, I can't support Australia (or indeed South Africa) at cricket. It's just not happening!

[pie_chucker]

Originally Posted by Notts Exile

That lack of pace really hampered McGrath didn't it? And Stuart Clark reeally suffers, too. Pace isn't everything, Harmlessone shows us that regularly!

Yes but McGrath didnt bowl a rank long hop every over. McGrath also had a good record of taking wickets, how many 5 fors has Broad taken??

With over 200 test wickets and a record similar to Brett Lee (who incidently is an automatic pick for the Aussies) Harmy has shown he is good enough

Originally Posted by flanflinger

The point of Harmison being out there is TO FIND HIS RHYTHM

Exactly FF, Harmison hasnt bowled in over 4 months and needs overs under his belt. He is even quoted on BBC as saying
"It was difficult, to be honest. It's the first real sort of cricket I've had since July."
"I did spray it a little bit and I'm not 'bowling fit'. " .

I only wish he'd been given 4 or 5 games instead of 2. England paid the price last winter for Harmy being undercooked in the Ashes and doing nothing in the first 2 games.

[greg]

The trouble is Harmy has bowled gash for over 2 years.Since Lords against the Aussies he has only bowled well in 2 games and both of them were at Old Trafford.My patience with him has run out and this has to be his last chance as he has been a liability for much of the last 2 years.

[pie_chucker]

To be fair to Harmy he's been unfit for most of the last 2 years.

In the latest match he admits he's no where near test match ready and apparently it was his idea to go to SA to get match fit which shows the comittment from him that has been continually doubted.

see Cricinfo - Harmison feared for his Test readiness

That also gives him 9 wickets in the match, not bad for someone who admits he wasnt bowling very well.

[Notts Exile]

If Harmison is bowling well then let's get him in the side. If he's not then leave him out as he can bowl Sri Lanka to victory just as easily as he can England! His desire to go to South Africa and get some match fitness is extremely positive. I just hope he really is bowling well. Taking wickets in South Africa's domestic competition may not be proof that he's bowling well, only Ottis Gibson will be able to judge that.

[darksideofthemoon]

Harmison had no choice but to get some cricket in. Moores doesn't seem prepared to take injured or out of form players on tour unlike Fletcher.

[Speedboy Salesman]

Plunkett takes 3-100 at 4.34 against Harmison's Lions. Lions declared, so we'll have to see how Harmison gets on bowling.