1 post tagged “battle”

STEVE HARMISON has got his England shirt back and does not want to give it up, no matter how much graft lies ahead.Fast bowler Harmison was given a stern examination by the conditions in his first international appearance for six months – made to toil for 13-and-a-half hours in the second Test at the SSC in Colombo yesterday, as Sri Lanka eked out a 197-run first-innings lead.Although wickets proved hard to come by, he finished with three for 111 - before Sri Lanka declared on 548 for nine – his final one making Prasanna Jayawardene the third home batsman to perish to his extra bounce.Injuries have restricted the 29-year-old’s appearances in 2007 – and even though he claimed 13 victims in two first-class matches in South African domestic cricket before his arrival here, a back spasm in the final warm-up match forced the selectors’ hand for the first Test of the series.Recalled because of the absence through injury of his regular new-ball partner Matthew Hoggard, however, Harmison persevered for a marathon 41.5 overs.After England had scored 48 without loss in the one hour possible before bad light intervened, Harmison said, “As long as I can look in the mirror at the end of the day and say I have given erything, I am happy – and I feel as though I have.“When I left England for South Africa it was to fight for my Test place.“I got my Test place back and all I want to do is play for England. I feel as though I can go to bed tonight, sleep easy and be happy with my day’s work.“I think I left my wickets in South Africa. I didn’t bowl well in South Africa, but got wickets. I seem to be bowling well here and not getting any.”