England Test doubt over Harmison

England coach Duncan Fletcher has admitted he is unsure whether key paceman Steve Harmison will be able to play in next week's opening Ashes Test.

The Durham seamer, 28, was rested for Friday's final warm-up match against South Australia as a precaution after waking up with a back strain.

"It's similar to the injury he had during the summer," Fletcher told Sky Sports News. "He went away and had a scan, which was pretty inconclusive again, as it was in the summer. He feels a bit of pain in the back, stiffness."

He added: "In the summer, one must remember that when he did bowl, it didn't get worse, it just irritated him but he could bowl for periods of time.

"He had an injection and we'll just see how he feels on Saturday, bowling a bit in the nets.

"If he does feel all right, just see how he reacts to the number of balls he bowls."

Fletcher refused to be drawn on his key strike bowler's chances of featuring in Brisbane on November 23, adding "It's very difficult to say. I hope he does play. He's an important part of the side, he had an effective role in the Ashes last year.

"He's been an effective bowler for us. The other bowlers feed off him and we just hope that he's fine and ready to play in the Test match.

"We've just got to monitor the number of balls he bowls because he's still got to get some mileage in his legs, and we're going to just have make sure he's out there bowling a lot over the next two or three days.

"That's a huge selection decision. That's not final yet. We just haven't decided."