It146;s aches before the Ashes

Australian middle-order batsman Damien Martyn then withdrew from Western Australia8217;s one-day match against Queensland in Perth with an elbow problem, while all-rounder Shane Watson limped off the field in the same match after injuring his hamstring while bowling.

Western Australia team officials said Martyn would definitely be available for Brisbane but there were some concerns about Watson.

Harmison complained of feeling stiffness in his side when he woke up in the morning. He bowled in the nets before the match in Adelaide but was told to play it safe and was replaced by Sajid Mahmood.

England coach Duncan Fletcher said later that Harmison was taken to hospital for scans and a painkilling injection and there were fears he could miss the series opener.

8220;He8217;s not guaranteed for Brisbane with that problem he8217;s had before,8221; Fletcher told reporters in Adelaide.

8220;So we8217;ll just have too see how this injection goes and what effect it has on him. We8217;re not going to guarantee it, but we8217;re planning, if he8217;s fine tomorrow and it8217;s not as bad as it was, we8217;ll give him a bowl and see how he feels with it.8221;

Watson will be assessed by the Australian team8217;s medical staff when he arrives in Brisbane on Saturday. The 25-year-old was bowling the first ball of his sixth over for Queensland when he pulled up sharply, clutching the back of his right leg.

Watson was included in a 13-man Australian squad as a counter to English all-rounder Andrew Flintoff and was expected to bat at number six.