Harmison ruled out of one-dayers

Steve Harmison was replaced by James Anderson for the third Test against India, and also misses the forthcoming one-dayers © Getty Images

After missing out on the third Test against India, following the injury to his shin which he picked up in the second Test, Steve Harmison has today been ruled out of the forthcoming one-day series and will fly home to receive treatment. His place has been taken by Matthew Hoggard who has been in excellent form this winter.

Harmison bowled just four overs in the second innings of the second Test at Mohali, and England's chief medical officer Peter Gregory felt that rest was what he needed. "He is still experiencing pain in his right shin and with the Test series against Sri Lanka due to start in early May, we have decided that the safest course of action is to rest him."

Harmison suffered from shin problems earlier in his career, and in 2000-01 he was forced to withdraw from an England A tour to the Caribbean. However, he has not missed a Test for England since flying home from the tour of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka with a back problem in October 2003.

Harmison has taken 159 wickets from 41 matches, and has been a star performer for England over the past few seasons. His withdrawal meant that England began the current Test against India at Mumbai without five key members of the side that won back the Ashes last summer. Michael Vaughan and Simon Jones have returned home with knee injuries, Ashley Giles was ruled out ahead of the tour due a hip problem, and Marcus Trescothick had to fly home for personal reasons. England trail 0-1 in the three-match series.