Harmison released from England squad

The England selectors have released Steve Harmison from the one-day squad, allowing him to play for Durham in their championship match against Worcestershire, which starts today.

Harmison hasn't played a single one-day international this season: he was on the bench throughout the three-match NatWest Challenge against Pakistan, and missed out in the first three matches of the triangular NatWest Series tournament as well. This has left him short of match-practice - he hasn't played a first-class match since joining the England one-day squad almost three weeks back. The decision to allow him to play county cricket gives Harmison an opportunity to get in some overs before England's first Test against South Africa on July 25.