Harmison will consider retiring if not recalled

Steve Harmison has said he is likely to quit cricket if he fails to win back his England place. Writing in his column in the Mail on Sunday, Harmison said that without the lure of international cricket, he could see no point in continuing.

"The prospect of playing for England is what drives me and if I felt my chance of doing that was gone the probability is I'd retire from first-class cricket altogether. This is not an ultimatum or me trying to impose conditions on anyone. But I am 29 now and if I felt my England career was over I would be tempted to say I want to do something different with my life.

"I am absolutely determined to show I have something to offer England," he continued. "I certainly do not believe I am finished. After a terrible year for me on the field with injuries, operations and so little cricket it is ridiculous, my aim is to bowl fast, take wickets and give the selectors something to think about.

"I have spoken informally to the skipper, Michael Vaughan, and the coach, Peter Moores, and stressed that I still want to play Test cricket and they were pretty positive that both Matthew [Hoggard] and I remain in their plans."