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Last Updated: Tuesday, 28 November 2006, 07:19 GMT
Harmison working to recover form
Steve Harmison
Harmison worked in the nets while his team-mates rested
Steve Harmison had a one-on-one session with bowling coach Kevin Shine on Tuesday, aiming to rediscover his form before the second Ashes Test.

The pace bowler admitted he "froze" in the opening match and he finished with figures of 1-177 in the 277-run defeat.

"They've gone down to work on a few technical things and drills," said coach Duncan Fletcher.

"Steve bowled well in the nets, but just wasn't able to transfer that bowling into the middle."

The rest of the England squad took the day off after flying to Adelaide, with an intensive training session scheduled for Wednesday, two days before the Test begins.

I'm sure once Harmison gets one or two little things sorted he'll be back

Troy Cooley

Harmison has admitted he could not have bowled a lot worse than during the first Test, which included allowing the first ball of the series to fly to captain Andrew Flintoff at second slip.

"I don't think he's that down, but when we've lost a game I'd like to see them down anyway - I wouldn't like to see them really happy about this situation," said Fletcher.

"If you don't perform very well you're going to feel a little bit down whoever you are.

"They have just got to pick themselves up, which is why we're working this afternoon, and hopefully he can go and sort the problems out."

Australia opener Justin Langer believes Harmison's opening two deliveries set the tone for the opening Test, and potentially the whole Ashes series.

"It was in stark contrast to his first two balls at Lord's in July 2005 and I can't help but wonder if the opening to this series could prove to be as significant as it was 15 months ago," Langer said in his BBC Sport column.

606: DEBATE
VW

"Back then, Harmison's body language symbolised the attitude of his entire team. His first ball flew through to Geraint Jones, the next thundered into my right elbow.

"It set the scene for the summer."

There were some words of encouragement for Harmison from Aussie bowling coach Troy Cooley, who used to hold the same position with England.

"He's getting up towards 200 Test wickets. Three years ago he was number one in the world," Cooley said.

"I'm sure once he gets one or two little things sorted he'll be back. I think he's as good at bouncing back as any other bowler."

England are still considering the possibility of bringing in Monty Panesar for his first Ashes Test and playing two spinners, with James Anderson the most likely to drop out.

Australia decided against that option by leaving leg-spinner Stuart MacGill out of their squad.



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SEE ALSO
How to get Harmy back on track
28 Nov 06 |  The Ashes
Justin Langer column
28 Nov 06 |  The Ashes
Vaughan could make Melbourne Test
28 Nov 06 |  The Ashes
Aussies to go with single spinner
28 Nov 06 |  The Ashes
No excuses for display - Harmison
26 Nov 06 |  The Ashes


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