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Harmison: We must win back fans

23/12/2007

England bowler Steve Harmison says England must improve their performances if they are to win back the fans.

The Durham man revealed how a small group of supporters heckled the players as they boarded the team bus on the penultimate day of their tour to Sri Lanka.

Having been soundly beaten in the series, despite only losing 1-0, England have now dropped to fifth in the ICC's Test rankings.

Harmison told the Mail on Sunday that the supporters have every right to vent their frustrations and that it is up to the team to win back their support.

"I've been in this side for five years and I've experienced a lot of good and bad, so this is not something new," said Harmison.

"I didn't mind taking it but some of the younger lads like Stuart Broad and Ravi Bopara, who haven't experienced it before, must be wondering what this is all about."

Harmison says the team were pleased to have improved in the second innings of the final Test after being bowled out for 81 on day three of the game.

England's inability to take wickets also affected them during the series and Harmison says they simply have to keep working and trying to develop.

He added: "In the end we gave it everything we had and it wasn't quite enough. We have to take the criticism and use it. Of course it hurts. But it's up to us to do something about it.

"We have to play well enough to win back the supporters, to stop the jeers and start the cheers again."

England will hope to have a better time when the tour of New Zealand starts in February.