Pietersen puts faith in Harmison

6 August 2008

Strike bowler and captain in discussion ahead of the final npower Test at the Brit Oval

Kevin Pietersen's first big decision as England captain has been to entrust the responsibility of the new ball to fast bowler Steve Harmison in the final npower Test at the Brit Oval tomorrow.

Pietersen began a new era under his captaincy when England named a bold line-up as they attempt to salvage pride from the last Test of the summer against a South Africa side still vibrant from their series triumph.

He has spurned the opportunity to strengthen the batting by playing five bowlers instead, with Stuart Broad returning to replace the injured Ryan Sidebottom and Harmison recalled as a replacement for former captain Michael Vaughan.

Harmison returns for his first Test since March, and has been charged with spearheading England’s attack.

He has not taken the new ball for England since facing West Indies at Old Trafford last summer, but his impressive county form – and continued menace – convinced Pietersen that Harmison can set the example for England.

"I've had a great relationship with Steve over the last four or five years so there's a lot of trust there,” said Pietersen. “I'm going to place some responsibility on him - and the big man will deliver for us.

"There's nothing better than playing Test cricket for England and from what I've seen this morning, Harmy bowled a hell of a spell to Fred (Andrew Flintoff) in the nets, so if he bowls anything like that this week he'll be back properly."

Harmison has an impressive record of 18 wickets in just four Tests at the Brit Oval, including his maiden five-wicket haul on home soil against West Indies four years ago.

Harmison impressed his new skipper with a hostile spell in the nets to Andrew Flintoff

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He also has reason to remember the last time he faced South Africa at this venue when his four wickets in the second innings completed England's fightback to level the series and secured his place as the main spearhead in the side for the next few years.

This time England meet South Africa with no incentive in the series, although the new captain has already set out his expectations of the side in yesterday's team talk.

He explained: "The big feature (of my captaincy) is to get back to playing with a real amount of pride and passion and to try and play with confidence and without fear.

"The recipe for success that I use is to play my way – to play without fear and be confident and once we go over the white line to just express yourself and do whatever you need to do to be successful."

Asked whether he believed fear had inhibited England's performances recently, Pietersen conceded: "Yes, I think it did. I think there was a bit of worrying about stuff too much, worrying about little things.

"I know from my own experience that the more you worry, the more you think about stuff instead of being a clear-thinking person who does things.

"I don't know why it's crept in – it’s just been a bit up and down – but it's time to draw a line under what's happened."

Part of that process has also been to rejig the batting order with Ian Bell moving up to his favoured number three spot, where he averaged more than 40 in Sri Lanka on the last occasion he was installed in that role.

Paul Collingwood is promoted to five following his superb century at Edgbaston while key all-rounder Andrew Flintoff moves up a place to six.

Pietersen's decision to go into the Test with five bowlers ensures Essex's Ravi Bopara – called up to replace Vaughan – must wait for a recall, while left-arm seamer Sidebottom has been rested before the start of the one-day series.