England's spearhead fast bowler Steve Harmison claims to have put his troubled tour of South Africa behind him and is improving with every game he plays.

Speaking at Bethnal Green College of Technology, at the launch of the Chance to Shine initiative to encourage cricket in state schools, Harmison said the forthcoming Bangladesh series was a perfect opportunity to transfer his county form to the Test arena before the arrival of Australia.

It is vital for England, if they are to contend against Australia, that he does so, because the Harmison of last summer, when he took 38 wickets in seven matches, is an entirely different proposition to the ineffectual version who turned up for the winter tour of South Africa, where his nine wickets cost 73.22.

"At the start of the season I was looking for some rhythm, just getting the ball coming out well and into good areas. I began leisurely against Leicestershire because of the cold and it got getting better and better up to my last game against Lancashire," he said.

Statistics back up his claims to have found some form, as he has taken 27 wickets in four county games, more than any other bowler in the early part of the season, and an important boost to his confidence after the South Africa tour.

"I admit my confidence needed building up again, though I don't want to exaggerate that. I didn't feel as though I bowled that badly in South Africa. I didn't get the rub of the green in terms of dropped catches and decisions going against me. But, hopefully, that's my little blip out of the way," he said.

Harmison was severely criticised for bowling too short in South Africa and he admitted to finding a fuller length this season, though he put that down to the English conditions rather than a deliberate change of focus.

Bangladesh were the next staging post in his gradual progress towards reaching a peak for the Ashes series in late July.

"The games are important preparation for the Ashes. In these two Tests I intend to take it up a notch again. Bowling in the heat and hype of a Test match will help me gauge where I am with my form.

"My mindset and preparation for the 1st Test against Bangladesh will be the same as for the Ashes. You've got to be able to get yourself up for a Test match at Lord's. It doesn't matter who you are playing against."

25 May, 2005