Harmison given the all clear for Sri Lanka

Stephen Harmison will be fit to rejoin the England squad for the Test series against Sri Lanka, it was confirmed today by the ECB.

Harmison underwent a series of scans which later revealed no major damage in his back, a problem which forced him to fly home early from Bangladesh. After taking a Test-best 9 for 79 in the first Test at Dhaka, he missed the second match at Chittagong because of his dodgy back, but he should now be raring to go at Galle next month and further impress the selectors, and maybe even win a central contract.

Dr Peter Gregory, England's chief medical officer, confirmed the good news for Harmison and England. "Scans suggest there is no serious cause for the pain Stephen felt in his lower back during the first Test match against Bangladesh," Gregory said. "Stephen will continue to undergo treatment and strengthening work for his back at the ECB National Academy and I am very optimistic that he will rejoin the England Test squad in Sri Lanka."

The first Test against Sri Lanka starts on December 2, after a three one-day international series in November.