No place for Harmison in first Ashes Test

Stephen Harmison has failed to win back his place in the England side after being left out Sunday of their 13-man squad for the first Ashes Test against Australia at Cardiff starting on Wednesday.

The news may come as a relief to Australia opener Phillip Hughes who was twice dismissed by short-pitched Harmison deliveries during the tourists' drawn final warm-up match this week against the England Lions at Worcester.

The 30-year-old Harmison took six wickets in all for the Lions against Australia but the fast bowler, whose fiery new ball spell against Australia at Lord's four years ago set the tone for England's Ashes triumph, has been omitted after being dropped from the side during this year's West Indies' tour.

Instead fellow Durham quick Onions, who took 10 wickets in England's 2-0 home series triumph over the West Indies, his debut Test campaign, has been added to the England team that drew this week's practice match against Warwickshire while Lions captain Ian Bell was included as batting cover.

Squad

Andrew Strauss (capt), Alastair Cook, Ravi Bopara, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Matt Prior (wkt), Andrew Flintoff, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Monty Panesar, Ian Bell, Graham Onions jdg/ak

LONDON, Sunday AFP