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Harmison maintains he has nothing to prove

29/07/2008

Steve Harmison has insisted he has nothing to prove after being recalled to the England squad ahead of the third Test against South Africa at Edgbaston.

The Durham fast bowler has been selected in the 13-man squad as England look to recover from the humiliating ten-wicket defeat they suffered at Headingley.

The 29-year-old was dropped during the recent tour of New Zealand and some commentators have criticised his recall.

Harmison, however, claims he has nothing to prove and is focused on being selected as part of Wednesday's starting XI.

"I'm not looking to prove any points, the selectors made a decision and everybody is talking about them," he said.

"They made a call months ago to leave me and Matthew Hoggard out and went six games without changing the team. They went six games playing well and at the time it was the right decision.

"Now they made a choice last week and it didn't work for them, the one in New Zealand did. I've got a chance now to stake my claim and I'm looking forward to it."

He added that returning to playing regular domestic cricket for his county Durham has helped him recover his form.

"When I left New Zealand I asked 'what have I got to do to get back in' and I think I've answered that question as well as I possibly could have," the 29-year-old explained.

"I've bowled overs and taken wickets, in fact I feel as though I've bowled the most overs in the country and I've taken a lot of wickets so I'm pleased.

"I've got continuous cricket under my belt. I think I've only missed two or three Twenty20 games this year, so I've played every form of the game for Durham.

"A lot of people thought you'd never see me in an England shirt again, but I was never one of them and that is the thing. If I was one then I'd have gladly said I couldn't carry on and pack it in, but no," he added.

"I asked what I had to do, I've gone away knuckled down and done it. That is what I wanted to do because I've always wanted to play for England.

"I've missed the atmosphere. It is great playing for Durham and I love it, but the buzz of the first morning in a Test match is not something you get playing at the Riverside."

The third Test will start tomorrow with England trailing South Africa 1-0 in the four-match series.