Harmison roars again for Lions in attempt to earn England recall

Steve Harmison took another three top-order wickets yesterday in his attempt to prove his form and fitness after hernia sugery in the summer. The England fast bowler now has nine in the match on his debut for South Africa's Highveld Lions.

Harmison, who is hoping to join the forthcoming Test tour of Sri Lanka, took 6 for 91 in the Cape Cobras' first-innings 294 all out in the SuperSport Series match at Paarl. After the Lions had replied with 260, Harmison took all the wickets as the Cobras reached 103 for 3 by stumps on the third day.

Under the watchful eye of England's new bowling coach, his former Durham team-mate, Ottis Gibson, Harmison made short work of Gerhard Strydom, who went leg before wicket for a duck. He then returned to break a second-wicket stand of 86 between the opener Andrew Puttick and Henry Davids.

Harmison saw off Puttick and, before the close, took the wicket of the former Kent all-rounder Tyron Henderson to push his claims to join Peter Moores' side in Sri Lanka.