Australians falling into Harm's way

"I don't think I've bowled a better over - that's probably as good as it comes," said Harmison. By adding the wicket of Matthew Hayden and then returning late on to remove top-scorer Mike Hussey, Harmison had given Australia plenty to think about. He was a vastly different proposition from the fast but often erratic performer they saw Down Under three winters ago.

"We knew he had improved a lot," said skipper Ponting. "His stats suggest that.

"He was a bit too good for a few of us in Bristol, but I'm sure if all our batsmen play as well as they can it should be a good contest this summer."

Popular opinion has it that 'Harmy' will need to strike quick and often this summer if the Ashes are to be recaptured.

"I don't see me being the big thing," he said. "The biggest thing for England is for 11 players to perform. No one man is going to win this Ashes series, not for Australia and definitely not for us."

One man who is making a formidable case for Test selection is Pietersen.

"I realised I needed to do something pretty special to give the Test selectors something to think about," he said.

"People said I would have to do something pretty spectacular to force my way in and, hopefully, Sunday's innings puts me in good stead. The Aussies are the greatest in the world and if I continue to play well against them in the one-dayers I might get the nod for the first or second Test which would be really fantastic.

Pietersen will attempt to bring Bangladesh back to earth in today's latest NatWest Series encounter at Trent Bridge after the triangular tournament underdogs' stunning victory over Australia on Saturday.

"I love the big stage. I love playing for England in front of thousands of people," Pietersen said.

"All this attention won't affect me, although I obviously realise it will add to everyone's expectations whenever I go out to bat. I always want to perform miracles every time I bat, even though it's obviously impossible for anyone to keep scoring hundred after hundred." RESULTS: 16 June - Eng bt Bang by 10wkts (The Oval); 18 June - Bang bt Aus by 5 wkts (Cardiff); 19 June - Eng bt Aus by 3 wkts (Bristol). TO PLAY: Today - Eng v Bang (Trent Bridge, day/night); Thurs - Eng v Aus (Chester-le-Street, d/n); Sat - Aus v Bang (Old Trafford); Sun - Eng v Bang (Headingley); 28 June - Eng v Aus (Edgbaston, d/n); 30 June - Aus v Bang (Canterbury); 2 July - Final (Lord's).