Harmison and Bell dropped by England

CRICKET : England have dropped Steve Harmison and Ian Bell as they seek to level the Test series against the West Indies.

CRICKET: England have dropped Steve Harmison and Ian Bell as they seek to level the Test series against the West Indies.

Both men sat out the second Test in Antigua and were replaced by Owais Shah and James Anderson as the tourists attempted to put memories of the thrashing in Jamaica behind them.

Bell's omission was widely anticipated after he failed to arrest a poor run of form at Sabina Park, where England were dismissed for a paltry 51 in the second innings.

Fast bowler Harmison, meanwhile, had only just returned to the XI in Jamaica after a previous exclusion in India.

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West Indies captain Chris Gayle won the toss and put the tourists in to bat - no doubt keen to let his attack exploit any mental frailty in the top order following last Saturday's demolition.

The home team recalled Ryan Hinds in place of the dropped Xavier Marshall in their only change.