Harmison must play : Stewart

PERTH—England’s former captain and wicketkeeper, Alec Stewart, believes that Steve Harmison has to be picked for Thursday’s crucial Test at the WACA despite concerns about his form, because he is a proven matchwinner, and winning the match is what England have to do to have any hope of retaining the Ashes.
“I’m probably his biggest fan,” Stewart told reporters in Perth. “On his day, when he’s bowling well, he’s probably the best bowler in the world. He got to No. 1 in the world 18 months ago, and though at the minute he’s short of that level, he’s still a matchwinner. We’ve got to win this Test match, so I’d still err on picking him, because I know what he’s capable of doing.”
After Harmison managed just one wicket for 288 runs in the first two Tests at Brisbane and Adelaide, all manner of theories started flying around about his form and fitness, but Stewart believes that his whole problem boils down to one thing. “I believe it all starts with confidence,” he said. “If he’s confident in his own ability, then everything else goes hand in hand.
“People always talk the technical thing,” added Stewart. “Is he coming down with the ball the wrong side of his wrist, is his head not coming down the wicket straight? So long as he’s confident. That’s the biggest thing. We’ve got to get back into this series, and confidence plays a huge part in anyone’s life, in anyone’s job. If you’re confident, you perform that much better. If you go out there a little off the pace, then it’s going to be hard work.”
Stewart believed that confidence was also the key for England’s beleaguered spinner, Ashley Giles, whose place is under increasing threat from the people’s favourite, Monty Panesar. “I think Panesar will get a game because we need 20 wickets to win a Test match, but I wouldn’t discount England playing two spinners,” he said. “They are two different types of spinners, and talking to some of the Western Australian boys say that this year it has spun [at the WACA].
“Giles has been out of all cricket for 12 months,” added Stewart. “I thought he bowled very well at Brisbane, but for some reason the media both here and at home are getting on his back a little bit. He always produces very good results for England. I’ve played with him and I’ve been watching him since. He’s still got a role to play and again it’s a confidence issue. If he gets an early wicket we’ll see what Ashley Giles can do.—Agencies