No player is more important to the England cause this summer than Harmison.
At 6ft 5ins and with an arm capable of habitually exceeding 90mph, the Durham bowler has the pace and bounce to ruffle any batsman in the world when he finds his physical and mental rhythm.
He has not always allied those two fundamentals of fast bowling at the highest level however, and 12 months of fluctuating fortunes leave a question mark over his contribution this summer.
England will keep faith after the menace shown last year against West Indies and New Zealand.
Over 11 unbeaten Tests his rare aggression and power yielded 61 wickets at 21.44 as Michael Vaughan's England came of age.
The turnaround was extraordinary as, though he had previously bullied Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, Harmison's record against proper Test opposition was poor.
Duncan Fletcher, Nasser Hussain and Vaughan all took deserved plaudits for their patience and belief following the destruction of the West Indies and Kiwis but the England set-up may be back to square one after a dreadful tour of South Africa.
Harmison was woefully inaccurate at full throttle before fading down his speed in search of line and length, a sign of desperation in any fast bowler.
The mental fragility which had seemed so irrelevant months earlier resurfaced and he looked a man desperate to return home at the end of a series victory to which his contribution was negligible.
Australia's uniquely aggressive batting order means that Harmison is pivotal to England's chances this summer.
If hitting the straps he can derail the unstoppable juggernaut which the visitors' top seven has become and ask new questions of a team accustomed to success.
But a repeat of the generosity offered to Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs over the New Year will present Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer with gifts they hardly need.
Doubtless Vaughan and Fletcher would prefer a more reliable character as their indispensable talisman but choice is not an option with Harmison – England cannot win the Ashes without him. |
