Harmison out of England warm-up

Steve Harmison in reflective mood after his injection © Getty Images

Steve Harmison has been ruled out of England's one-day warm-up match against Hampshire at Southampton on Saturday.

"Steve has been ruled out of the match after having a cortisone injection into the back of his left ankle," said an England spokesman. "But he also had some scans earlier this week and they were all clear." The spokesman added that Harmison was being rested from Saturday's game as a precaution. The injury will be reassessed again on Sunday.

Harmison, who took 6 for 124 in England's innings and 27-run second Test win at his Riverside home ground earlier this month, said: "I was a bit sore against Bangladesh but I bowled again after I felt it (the injury). It got gradually worse as the Test match went on. The scan showed a bit of bruising of the bone but it doesn't show anything else."

England play Australia for the first time this season in a Twenty20 international at the Rose Bowl on Monday.