ttgapers.com

Steve Harmison is pumped up to turn his mental stranglehold over the West Indies into another rich harvest of wickets. The Durham paceman, who had 16 victims in England’s triumphs in the first two Tests, has never felt stronger or more confident.

He and Darren Gough were yesterday added to the original 13-man squad for the seven one-day internationals which follow the Test matches. And, as England seek to clinch the series in the Third Test starting tomorrow, Harmison revealed the secrets behind his sudden surge in form.

He said: “I feel much stronger in the body, particularly my core muscles around the back, stomach and thighs. That’s as a result of training at Newcastle United during January and February, when they pinpointed the muscle groups I need for bowling. I’m normally flagging a bit after two Tests in a series. But now I feel really fresh and strong.”

Harmison’s psychological edge over the Windies batsmen was perfectly illustrated by captain Michael Vaughan tossing him the ball as soon as Brian Lara walked to the wicket in the second innings in Trinidad. He dismissed Lara almost immediately.

Harmy added: “I have a few wickets now and any bowler that does that, or team that is 2-0 up, must have an edge on the opposition.”