
England have resisted any temptation to rush their leading strike bowler Steve Harmison back into the side for the second Test against Sri Lanka starting on Thursday.
Instead they have kept faith with the side that drew the first Test at Lord’s last Monday apart from omitting reserve batsman Ian Bell from a squad of 12 announced on Sunday.
Harmison, 27, who has been suffering from a sore right shin, decided not to bowl on the last afternoon of Durham’s match against Nottinghamshire. “We have decided that his and England’s interests would be best served by allowing him more time to regain full match fitness,” David Graveney said.





