STEVE HARMISON,

who has become one of the best and most hard-hitting pundits in english cricket, was talking on his excellent talkSPorT podcast of his desire to put his name in the frame for the Test national selector role still to be filled by england. There was, Harmison said, only one problem. He did not want to make it awkward for the man who will make the appointment because rob Key is one of his closest friends. Harmison should not worry. Key is wise and sensible enough not to let friendship get in the way of the right decision and has already proved his acumen with what is looking like an inspired double act of appointments in Ben Stokes and Brendon mcCullum. If Harmison is the right man Key should have no hesitation in approaching him. It could just be, with the former fast bowler’s experience and nous, another inspired choice.