Wake up Harmy, Goodnight Mr. Vaughan

As the England training squad for the first Ashes test of the summer was announced, it was of no surprise to see the exclusion of Steve Harmison and Michael Vaughan. Harmison's performances in International cricket have gone downhill in the last couple of years, ironically since the first ball of the 2006-07 Ashes, in which England were soundly beaten 5-0 (as if you need reminding). His county performances have been just what the selectors would want however, but it seems the attitude towards Harmison, and indeed of him, has changed dramatically in recent times. England are no longer willing to put up with second-rate performances from a man who was the number.1 bowler in the world following England's 3-0 win in the West Indies back in 2004. This is a man who can go beyond the 90mph mark on regular occasions, trundling in and bowling a speed you'd expect Paul Collingwood to be hitting. His attitude certainly isn't right, and one questions whether he is mentally fit to be able to cope with the pressures of international cricket. In Sri Lanka he wasn't fit, and against South Africa he showed glimpses, yes, glimpses, of being somewhere near his best. Though we've heard that before, haven't we? For once, the England selectors have made the right decision regarding Harmison. There is no more time to take chances on a man who isn't up to the task, especially for such a big series as the Ashes. England's way seems to be to look at performances on the county circuit to help them pick the team, and if that was the case on this occasion, Harmison would have been first on the team sheet. But one can only give a man so many chances to succeed. It is fair to say that Harmison isn't succeeding. The likes of Graham Onions, Tim Bresnan and Sajid Mahmood are now vying for the 3rd bowling place, and after Onion's superb debut at Lords against the West Indies, who would be brave enough to say Harmison will be back?

As for Michael Vaughan, his career has been a total landslide. From giving up the captaincy following the series against New Zealand, to being completely axed from the England set-up and not even considered for this summer's Ashes. Not even in county cricket has he been able to reproduce the kind of form that the selectors would be looking for. There is no questioning Vaughan's passion and desire in the game but the simple fact is, there are better and younger players around the county circuit that more than fit the bill for the number.3 spot in England's test lineup. The obvious name that springs to mind is Essex's Ravi Bopara. 3 hundreds in his last 3 tests have more than secured his place for the Ashes opener in Cardiff, and with the likes of Owais Shah and Joe Denly hanging around the squad, there seems very little hope for Vaughan now. It is a shame that such a classy batsman, and world class captain has lost the touch so rapidly, but times change, and England are clearly a team looking to the future.