By Jon Steer
August 5 2003

Steve Harmison has been released by the England team to play against Notts at the Riverside today. He will be keen to impress the selectors as they decide on the squad for the third test. The game against Notts will be seen by the Durham team as a chance to change their fortunes in the National League. Durham beat Notts at Trent Bridge in June and they were also the only team that Durham beat in the Twenty20 competition.

Durham have lost their last three National League games and are without a win in the competition since the beginning of July.

Even with promotion almost impossible now Durham there are important goals for several players. Harmison will be keen to show that he deserves to keep his place in the England squad and wicket keeper Phil Mustard will want to continue his good run of form to keep his name in the frame for an academy place in the winter.

Opinions seem to be mixed as to Harmy's chances of playing in the third test. Many experts view is that Gough and Giles are the bowlers whose places are most under threat with Hussein and McGrath the weakest of the batsmen.