Captain Kev shows faith in Harmison
Kevin Pietersen placed his faith in forgotten pace man Steve Harmison yesterday as his reign as England captain began with a bold selection move.
The no-nonsense skipper has recalled both Harmison and fellow fast bowler Stuart Broad to the side for the fourth Test against South Africa at The Oval, starting today, while seamer Ryan Sidebottom is left out.
There is no place either for in-form Ravi Bopara, despite the Essex allrounder being called up to the 13-man squad earlier in the week.
Pietersen’s decision to go with five bowlers is brave to say the least, especially as England slumped to a 10-wicket defeat to Proteas the last time they used such a tactic, in the second Test at Headingley.
But even more of a surprise is a decision to hand the new ball to Harmison, who comes in for his first international in five months after being dropped following England’s opening Test defeat by New Zealand in Hamilton.
Even then, the hostile, yet sometimes wayward, Harmison was rarely handed the new ball for England with predecessor Michael Vaughan preferring the accuracy of seamer Matthew Hoggard.
But Pietersen has defended his decision, backing the Durham man to justify his selection and help salvage some national pride after a home series defeat.
“I’ve had a great relationship with Steve over the last four or five years so there’s a lot of trust there and I’m going to place some responsibility on him – and the big man will deliver for us,” Pietersen said.
“There’s nothing better than playing Test cricket for England and from what I’ve seen, Harmy bowled a hell of a spell to Fred (Andrew Flintoff) in the nets, so if he bowls anything like that this week he’ll be back properly.”