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Harmison at ease with Test focus Harmison at ease with Test focus
(about 2 hours later)
Steve Harmison is confident his decision to retire from one-day cricket will help prolong his Test career.Steve Harmison is confident his decision to retire from one-day cricket will help prolong his Test career.
"This has been a difficult decision but I want to play at the highest level for as long as I can," he said."This has been a difficult decision but I want to play at the highest level for as long as I can," he said.
"I believe that concentrating solely on Test cricket is the best way forward for me during the next phase of what will hopefully be a long career.""I believe that concentrating solely on Test cricket is the best way forward for me during the next phase of what will hopefully be a long career."
Harmison, 28, has played 46 ODIs since 2002 but has struggled to replicate his better Test form in 50-over cricket.Harmison, 28, has played 46 ODIs since 2002 but has struggled to replicate his better Test form in 50-over cricket.
Interview: ECB chairman of selectors David Graveney Interview: Leicestershire's Paul NixonInterview: ECB chairman of selectors David Graveney Interview: Leicestershire's Paul Nixon
In 12 matches over the last 12 months he has taken just 17 wickets at an average of 36.58, costing almost six runs per over.In 12 matches over the last 12 months he has taken just 17 wickets at an average of 36.58, costing almost six runs per over.
He was dropped for England's final match of the ICC Champions Trophy, against West Indies in October, after a series of injury niggles and form problems.He was dropped for England's final match of the ICC Champions Trophy, against West Indies in October, after a series of injury niggles and form problems.
He has had a difficult time; he's struggled with the white ball for the last 12 months David GraveneyChairman of selectorsHe has had a difficult time; he's struggled with the white ball for the last 12 months David GraveneyChairman of selectors
Despite his poor start to the Ashes series, though, he has rediscovered his form in Test cricket, with a return of 4-48 in the third match of the series in Perth.Despite his poor start to the Ashes series, though, he has rediscovered his form in Test cricket, with a return of 4-48 in the third match of the series in Perth.
But he is known to dislike opening the bowling with the white ball, which is used in one-day cricket and tends to swing more than the red version.But he is known to dislike opening the bowling with the white ball, which is used in one-day cricket and tends to swing more than the red version.
"This hasn't come as a shock to me. I know he's been considering if for a bit," chairman of selectors David Graveney told BBC Radio Five Live."This hasn't come as a shock to me. I know he's been considering if for a bit," chairman of selectors David Graveney told BBC Radio Five Live.
"He has had a difficult time. He's struggled with the white ball for the last 12 months."He has had a difficult time. He's struggled with the white ball for the last 12 months.
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"It lessens our options but opens the door for a lot of younger bowlers to stake their claim for the [World Cup in the] West Indies.""It lessens our options but opens the door for a lot of younger bowlers to stake their claim for the [World Cup in the] West Indies."
Harmison will play a key part in the two remaining Ashes Tests, in Melbourne and Sydney, then return home as the Commonwealth Bank Series begins on 12 January.Harmison will play a key part in the two remaining Ashes Tests, in Melbourne and Sydney, then return home as the Commonwealth Bank Series begins on 12 January.
Meanwhile, Paul Nixon hopes to raise his team-mates' flagging spirits on his first tour England's for six years.Meanwhile, Paul Nixon hopes to raise his team-mates' flagging spirits on his first tour England's for six years.
Nixon, 36, was surprisingly called into the one-day squad, replacing Geraint Jones as the second wicket-keeper in the party, alongside Chris Read.Nixon, 36, was surprisingly called into the one-day squad, replacing Geraint Jones as the second wicket-keeper in the party, alongside Chris Read.
"Some of the guys have not performed as they would have liked to have done, so they'll maybe benefit from a bit of experience and new energy," he said."Some of the guys have not performed as they would have liked to have done, so they'll maybe benefit from a bit of experience and new energy," he said.
"They haven't performed as well as they would have liked and changes have been made - and I'm thankful for that.""They haven't performed as well as they would have liked and changes have been made - and I'm thankful for that."