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England wait on Harmison fitness Harmison's workout raises hopes
(about 17 hours later)
Coach Duncan Fletcher has admitted England do not know if Steve Harmison will be fit for the first Ashes Test. England bowler Steve Harmison's hopes of being fit for the first Ashes Test were boosted after a brief but encouraging workout on Saturday.
Harmison, who has a history of back trouble, was left out of the side for their final Ashes warm-up match after waking up with tightness in his side. Harmison, who pulled out of the final warm-up game with a side injury, bowled for 15 minutes in the nets.
"It's similar to the one he had during the summer, which just irritated him, although he could bowl," said Fletcher. A spokesman said that the team management was "pleased with the way he came through".
"He's had a scan, which was pretty inconclusive. They have given him an injection and he says it has improved." Coach Duncan Fletcher admitted on Friday that he did not know if Harmison would be fit for next week's Test.
Interview: England coach Duncan FletcherInterview: England coach Duncan Fletcher
Harmison, who has a history of back trouble, was left out of the side for England's three-day match with South Australia match after waking up with tightness in his side.
"It's similar to the one he had during the summer, which just irritated him, although he could bowl," said Fletcher.
"He's had a scan, which was pretty inconclusive. They have given him an injection and he says it has improved," said Fletcher.
Harmison missed the one-day series against Pakistan in the summer with an injury described as being to his lower back (which could bring side pain) but returned for the ICC Champions Trophy.Harmison missed the one-day series against Pakistan in the summer with an injury described as being to his lower back (which could bring side pain) but returned for the ICC Champions Trophy.
"We will just see how he [does] in the morning and if he's fine we'll try and bowl him in the nets," Fletcher told BBC Sport.
606 DEBATE: Who will replace Harmison if he misses the first Test? 606 DEBATE: Who will replace Harmison if he misses the first Test?
Lancashire seamer Sajid Mahmood replaced Harmison for the warm-up game and went wicket-less on day one.Lancashire seamer Sajid Mahmood replaced Harmison for the warm-up game and went wicket-less on day one.
But the England coach was impessed by the performance of England's three senior seamers, who shared five wickets.But the England coach was impessed by the performance of England's three senior seamers, who shared five wickets.
Matthew Hoggard took three wickets in 12 balls and James Anderson shared the new ball with him, dismissing former Test batsman Matthew Elliott.Matthew Hoggard took three wickets in 12 balls and James Anderson shared the new ball with him, dismissing former Test batsman Matthew Elliott.
"The morning session was as good as I've seen England bowl for some time - there was good discipline, good control and they didn't lose their concentration," Fletcher added."The morning session was as good as I've seen England bowl for some time - there was good discipline, good control and they didn't lose their concentration," Fletcher added.