Steve Harmison and Stuart Broad have been recalled to the England team for the fourth and final test against South Africa starting on Thursday at The Oval. Ryan Sidebottom, England's leading wicket-taker over the last 12 months, and batsman Ravi Bopara were not included in the team named on Wednesday by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
New captain Kevin Pietersen said that the 29-year-old Harmison, with 212 wickets from 58 tests, was keen to play test cricket again after a five-month absence. "He had a bounce in his step, and the way he bowled this morning to (Andrew) Flintoff in the nets it can only work for us," Pietersen told Sky Sports.
The inclusion of Harmison and Broad means England will have a five-man bowling attack for the first time in the series. "I feel a lot more comfortable with four fast bowlers and I've given a lot more responsibility to the batters to score some runs," added the 28-year-old Pietersen.
The resignation of former captain Michael Vaughan means Ian Bell moves up to number three, while Paul Collingwood, Flintoff and wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose all move up one place. Broad will bat at eight, and his return after playing in the first two tests against South Africa pleased Pietersen.
"He's a positive player who learns quickly," he said of the 22-year-old Broad, who, despite being renowned for his bowling, has an average of more than 40 with the bat after 11 test innings.
South Africa captain Graeme Smith said of Harmison: "If you are going to pick a guy like Steve then that must mean that they (England's selectors) are going to see a future for him going forward to India and the Ashes series," he said.
In his previous test match against New Zealand in March, Harmison bowled 27 overs for figures of 1-121. However he has seen more success at The Oval, taking 18 wickets in four test matches. South Africa have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-game series against England.
Team: Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook, Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen (captain), Paul Collingwood, Andrew Flintoff, Tim Ambrose, Stuart Broad, Steve Harmison, James Anderson, Monty Panesar.