 England will hope Harmison is firing on all cylinders at Lord's |
England's Steve Harmison says there will be no excuses when the hosts begin their Test series against Pakistan. The first match of four begins at Lord's on Thursday and Durham paceman Harmison said: "Our conditions suit us.
"We know that and we have to make it uncomfortable for Pakistan. We have to draw a line under the injury situation and move on - we've got a good side."
Harmison took 5-43 at Lord's on the first day of the 2005 Ashes Series, but does not enjoy bowling at the ground.
He told BBC radio: "I'm not a big fan of Lord's and I never feel comfortable bowling here but I've always been successful here.
"I feel that I do take wickets here and I do well for the team here."
Harmison was a frustrated spectator when England failed to beat Sri Lanka in the first Test of the summer at the north-west London ground.
He said: "I missed out the start of the year through injury.
"I get paid for playing cricket. I don't get paid for doing anything else. I get paid for running in and bowling for England.
"It's soul-destroying if you're not playing because I hate watching.
"I missed three Test matches at the start of the season and hated every minute of it because I wasn't involved.
 | the older players have to take more responsibility to help the younger guys feel comfortable |
"Now I'm back and can hopefully do my best for my country."
He acknowledges that Pakistan will be difficult opponents to break down.
"They're a good side and they proved that in Pakistan. But we slipped up at a vital time in Multan.
"We should have nailed that one and if we had won that Test it totally changes everything. But we had to play catch-up cricket from then on.
Harmison is aware of his important in the side, especially with doubts over Matthew Hoggard's fitness.
He said: "I hope I can lead by example. I didn't really lead by example in the one-day series but I feel quite strong and hopefully I'll go out there on Thursday and things will go well.
"We have got to forget about the last Ashes series. We all talk about the spirit and the camaraderie but there are four players who aren't even in the squad.
"The next Ashes are down the line - who knows what's going to happen before that?
"For now, the older players have to take more responsibility to help the younger guys feel comfortable so they know what the environment is about.
"And the younger players have to take the opportunity that the injured players have left."
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Interview: Steve Harmison 
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