Harmison doubtful for fourth Pakistan one-dayer by AFP

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Player:	SJ Harmison
Event:	England in Pakistan 2005/06

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DateLine: 18th December 2005

 

England could suffer another blow with paceman Steve Harmison a doubtful starter for Monday's fourth one-day international against Pakistan because of the flu.

 

"Harmison is not feeling too well, so we just have to monitor him through tomorrow. He was having flu and was feeling heavy," said coach Duncan Fletcher after team practice here Sunday.

 

The 27-year-old fast bowler, who took just two wickets in the three matches so far, skipped practice.

 

With England trailing 2-1 in the five-match series, his absence will make their task even more difficult.

 

They are already without regular captain Michael Vaughan and spinner Ashley Giles - both ruled out of the one-day series with injuries - and batsman Kevin Pietersen who returned home last week due to back and rib cage problems.

 

Paceman Kabir Ali, still to play a game in the series, might be Harmison's replacement.

 

Pakistan crushed England by 165 runs in Thursday's third match at Karachi, after levelling the series with a comfortable seven-wicket win in the second match played at Lahore. The tourists won the opening match, also played at Lahore, by 42 runs.

 

Fletcher said he wanted the team to match the attitude displayed in that first game.

 

"We have just got to make sure we go and play the same way we did in the first game, show the same approach," he said adding that England have staged fierce comebacks in previous series. "We have just got to be very positive to win," he said.

 

Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq said his side would try to wrap up the series on Monday.

 

"It is a crucial match for us and we know it can decide the series. We would do our best to wrap up the series here," Inzamam said.

 

Fletcher admitted Pakistan has played well during the whole tour.

 

"We have said all along that it will be a difficult tour. Pakistan are a talented side and they played well and at the end of the day we have to just accept that they batted well and bowled well," said Fletcher.

 

The fifth and final match will also be played in Rawalpindi on Wednesday.

(Article: Copyright © 2005 AFP)