Harmison Recalled to Test Squad

Steve Harmison has been included in the England squad for the third Test against South Africa. The Durham pace bowler, who has not played a Test since the winter tour of New Zealand, is the only major change to the squad following last week's heavy defeat to the Proteas, with Paul Collingwood and Stuart Broad both retained.

There was no place for either Owais Shah or Ravi Bopara, despite England's travails with the bat at Headingley. Instead, Collingwood remains as cover, and he could potentially win a recall after just one Test on the sidelines if England opt for a four-man attack. Darren Pattinson, whose debut in the second Test sparked a selectorial inquisition, has been dropped, while there is also no place for Chris Tremlett.

Harmison is rewarded for his consistent form for Durham this season, where he has taken 41 first-class wickets at less than 23 apiece. His inclusion may result in Broad being rested, with concerns that the young all-rounder is in need of a rest. "Steve's bowled well this year and deserves his placed in the side," said the national selector, Geoff Miller.

The third Test, starting on Wednesday, will see England attempt to square the series at Edgbaston.

Squad for the third Test: MP Vaughan (capt, Yorkshire), AN Cook (Essex), AJ Strauss (Middlesex), KP Pietersen (Hampshire), IR Bell (Warwickshire), PD Collingwood (Durham), A Flintoff (Lancashire), TR Ambrose (wkt, Warwickshire), SCJ Broad (Nottinghamshire), RJ Sidebottom (Nottinghamshire), SJ Harmison (Durham), JM Anderson (Lancashire), MS Panesar (Northamptonshire)