Harmy, you’re history now

As England move into a brand new era, with a brand new coach who isn’t even called a coach — no, Andy Flower is England’s team director, whatever that means — we pass into this bracing new climate by discarding a few old faithfuls, especially Stephen Harmison, writes Simon Barnes in the Times.

In the sad circumstances of his passing, it is fitting to remember Harmison as he was at his very best: a great rampaging, unshaved Dirty Harry of a bowler — you don’t ask him to bowl, you just turn him loose. And it wasn’t the sort of thing that lasted for ever, it was great while it did. If Rick and Elspeth will always have Paris, then Harmison (and we) will always have 2005.