Windies protest over Harmison incident

West Indies have lodged an official complaint after Steve Harmison opened the bowling for England in the third npower Test at Old Trafford.

Durham fast bowler Steve Harmison contravened international playing conditions, under the laws of cricket, by practising on the edge of the square between innings.

West Indies manager Mike Findlay contested Harmison taking the new ball during the lunch interval, visiting match referee Alan Hurst to make the point.

Under law 17.1 'the use of the square for practice on any day of any match will be restricted to any netted practice area on the square set aside for that purpose'.

Any bowler that breaks the restrictions is then effectively ineligible to bowl for a minimum of half-an-hour once play commences.

Harmison was straight into the action, however, and dismissed West Indies captain Daren Ganga in his opening over, the second of the innings, as the tourists reached 17 for one at the break.

Technically neither Harmison nor Liam Plunkett, who also practised under the guidance of new bowling consultant Allan Donald, should have been able to open up with Ryan Sidebottom.

Reserve umpire Rob Bailey terminated the pre-innings preparation after a couple of minutes.