Harmison delays New Zealand arrival

Steve Harmison, the England fast bowler, has been allowed to delay his arrival in New Zealand to stay at home for the birth of his fourth child. He will now join up with his team-mates next week ahead of the three-Test series in March.

Harmison was due to arrive in New Zealand with fellow Test specialists Michael Vaughan and Matthew Hoggard on Friday but was informed he could stay in England to witness the birth.

"Following discussions with the national selector Geoff Miller and the head coach Peter Moores, Stephen has been given dispensation to remain in the UK to attend the birth," said ECB managing director Hugh Morris. "It is anticipated that he will now join the Test squad in New Zealand in the early part of next week."

Harmison showed promising signs of returning to somewhere near top form during the Test series in Sri Lanka. He played two matches after overcoming a series of injuries and proving his fitness with a stint in South Africa.