Steve Harmison puts Australia in place again

David Lloyd13 April 2012

Steve Harmison struck two big psychological blows for England at Worcester today, bouncing out Phillip Hughes for a second time in the Lions match against Australia and then condemning Ricky Ponting to another failure.

Harmison, having dismissed the opener for just seven on Wednesday, again used the short ball to good effect. But it was when the fast bowler switched to around the wicket that he struck gold.

Hughes, 20, who scored three hundreds and two half-centuries in five championship innings for Middlesex earlier this season, had no answer to a ball which cut back into him and could only glove a simple catch to second slip.

Harmison was all smiles — and watching England selector Geoff Miller looked happy, too, as Hughes departed, having made only eight in his final innings before next Wednesday's first Ashes Test.

Ponting's dismissal was encouraging, too, with Australia's captain adding only 15 to his first innings single before edging a firm footed drive to gully.

Australia 358 (Hussey 150, Katich 95; Harmison
4-80) & 87-2. England Lions 352 (Moore 120;
Lee 6-76).