England selectors ponder options

9:36am Saturday 26th July 2008

England are set to leave their selection options open when they announce a 13-man squad for the third npower Test against South Africa - with Steve Harmison expected among them.

Durham fast bowler Harmison would provide potential extra pace to an attack which has toiled its way to just 13 wickets in the last 344.3 overs sent down to the South Africans this series.

"We now know we have to win two games to win the series, and have to create a side which is capable of that at Edgbaston, which as a ground is different to Headingley," said national selector Geoff Miller. "We have discussed all kinds of things: extra pace, whether it will turn more, or whether it is anticipated to swing."

The 29-year-old Harmison has not been considered for a match since being sensationally dumped along with new-ball partner Matthew Hoggard following the heavy defeat to New Zealand in Hamilton in March.

But he has realigned velocity and direction in county action this summer and has consistently clocked 90 miles per hour in Durham's televised matches.

And the England selectors need to take decisive action in the aftermath of the Headingley hammering which, aside from being tarnished by the unseemly disagreements on the promotion of Darren Pattinson, has left Michael Vaughan's team 1-0 down with two to play.

Expanding the party from the more usual dozen men offers the chance to cover all the bases should weather or pitch conditions throw up any surprises.

Although left-armer Ryan Sidebottom - whose back niggle gave an unexpected chance to county colleague Pattinson - is anticipated to return, Miller confirmed: "You always need options.

"Ryan has been an extremely important member of the squad, and indeed side, since he came back last year.

"But it is not just about taking 20 wickets - yes we need to do that - it is about scoring runs as well, and 200 in the first innings is simply not enough."

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