Gough backs Harmison to regain form

Darren Gough is confident that Steve Harmison will soon regain his form. The fast bowler Harmison slipped from top of the world bowling rankings to eighth after an indifferent Test series. He picked up just nine wickets at 73 apiece as England completed a 2-1 series victory against South Africa.

"Confidence plays a big part in fast bowling," Gough told the BBC Sport website. "Especially after a couple of games haven't gone your way. It goes in spells and he's a quality bowler. He's going to take wickets sooner rather than later. I don't think Harmison is doing that much wrong. He had two catches dropped on the last day of the last Test."

Although Harmison will be fit for England's third ODI this Friday after recovering from a calf strain, he knows that he will not be an automatic selection. "It is progressing nicely," Harmison said, "and with a bit of luck I will be fit for Port Elizabeth, [but] the way the boys have bowled I might not get a game."

England take a 1-0 lead into the second of seven matches on Wednesday at Bloemfontein.