Harmison's in need of a nasty streak

Anderson, who will not be 21 until next week, continues to impress with his ability and has amazed all by responding so maturely when the game threatens to kick him in the teeth.

As for Flintoff, his Test statistics don't even hint at how well he has bowled for England on occasions - or how well he could bowl for them against South Africa if his recent one-day form is taken into the second half of the summer.

When the spotlight shifts to Harmison, however, it is still anyone's guess whether his international career will blossom or swiftly fade away after a bit of early promise.

Working on the basis that you're as good as your last Test performance, then Harmison is doing just fine.

Playing in front of his home crowd at Chesterle-Street six weeks ago, the Durham fast bowler helped to crush Zimbabwe with best-yet figures of four for 55.

But what the 24-year-old wants now is a really eye-catching display against South Africa, who should be altogether tougher opponents for England with their long batting line-up.

Harmison has shown he can be a handful for the best. Running in at Melbourne and hitting the pitch hard, he generated good pace and chest-threatening bounce during a spell against Australia that briefly looked as though it might lead England to an unlikely Fourth-Test victory.

Ricky Ponting and Damien Martyn were sent packing, then Steve Waugh was roughed up before the Aussies eased to another Ashes win.

Still, Harmison had shown he could be quick and nasty against top notch opponents. "Steve has been the find of the tour for us," said Stewart at the time.

In fact, Stewart was being a little bit premature because along came Anderson, in the one-day series, to steal that particular award. But the former captain's judgement seemed spot on immediately after Melbourne-Since then, however, it is questionable whether Harmison's development has been helped or hindered by selection for three different one-day squads.

His confidence clearly took a knock during the triangular series with Australia and Sri Lanka when he bowled a lot of wides. Then came a World Cup spent watching from the sidelines followed by just one appearance - three wicketless overs for 18 runs - while England were playing 10 matches against Pakistan, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Harmison needs to bowl more, not less, if he is to develop into that menacing yet reliable Test weapon which Hussain will need when pitches are flat and the ball doesn't swing.

Edgbaston, and South Africa's batsmen, should provide him with plenty of work this coming week.