Collingwood praises resilient Harmison

Updated 08.29 Mon Jul 28 2008
Keywords: steve harmison, cricket, south africa cricket, england, south africa, england cricket, paul collingwood, england v south africa third test, sport

Paul Collingwood has praised his Durham team-mate Steve Harmison for fighting his way back into the England Test squad.

Harmison has been recalled for the third Test against South Africa at Edgbaston, four months after being dropped.

"The ambition is really there after all he has been through" - Paul Collingwood

Collingwood said: "The key thing for Harmy is that he's as hungry as ever to play for England, the ambition is really there after all he's been through.

"He could have settled for a quieter life with Durham but he really wants to play for England, like me, and every time I've been back to Durham people have said to me 'you wouldn't believe how fast Harmy is bowling'."

Collingwood has missed most of Harmison's recent performances in the County Championship because he has been playing for England.

But the all-rounder was dropped for the second Test after a run of poor batting form.

He added: "It's been a very difficult season for me but hopefully it will be a season of two halves and the better half starts now.

"I just want this to be the spark, the catalyst, whatever word you want to choose, to get me going again.

"It's been the worst year of my career but once you have got over the hurt you look at it and realise that hope is just around the corner."

Collingwood and Harmison could both return at Edgbaston, as they were chosen by the selectors in a 13-man squad for the match.

Collingwood said: "I worried about what this meant for me when I was left out of Headingley and it was without doubt that biggest disappointment of my career.

"The only thing that comes close to it was when I was left out of the second Test in Pakistan and I worried whether I would ever make it as a Test player."

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