Harmison replaced by Bopara

CRICKET : England have dropped Steve Harmison for the must-win fourth Test against West Indies at the Kensington Oval.

CRICKET: England have dropped Steve Harmison for the must-win fourth Test against West Indies at the Kensington Oval.

Durham fast bowler Harmison was left out of the XI, with Ryan Sidebottom preferred, as the tourists seek to level the series.

With Andrew Flintoff and Matt Prior unavailable, due to injury and paternity leave respectively, Essex all-rounder Ravi Bopara was recalled and Tim Ambrose played his first match of the winter.

Harmison's absence meant England did not field a single member of the bowling attack whose performances sealed victory here in the corresponding match in 2004.

READ MORE

England skipper Andrew Strauss called correctly and decided to bat first after winning the toss.

West Indies named an unchanged side from the one which clung on for a draw in Antigua last week.

Harmison was the least effective of England's bowlers in that match and appears to have paid the price - although he had a back niggle earlier in the build-up here, he was confirmed as fit and available by the team management and got through the pre-match net sessions.