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From BBC
Steve Harmison says he only wants to tour South Africa with England if he is assured of a "full part" in the side.
The Durham fast bowler was overlooked for a central contract last week and has been considering retiring from international cricket.
"I am only going to retire if England don't want me any more," Harmison told BBC Radio 5 live's Sportsweek. "I don't want to play as a bit-part player."
Harmison played the last two Ashes Tests as England beat Australia 2-1.
He has played no part in the seven-match one-day series and was not named in the squad for the Champions Trophy.
"When the one-day series is out of the way I'll sit down and speak with the selectors," said Harmison, who helped Durham win its second straight County Championship title last week.
"I fully understand this central contract issue. The simple fact is I've not done enough. I understand why I wasn't given a central contract because I hadn't done my job for England this year.
"But if they want me to go to South Africa I'll gladly go and be a full part of it."
England play two Twenty20 internationals and five one-dayers in South Africa in November before the four-Test series begins.
England coach Andy Flower has said Harmison remains a part of his plans.
Andrew Flintoff's retirement from Test cricket has left the England attack short of tall, experienced pace bowlers.
"It would be unfair of me to walk away now," said Harmison. "Andrew Flintoff's walked away so you're taking probably about 135 Test matches out of the equation in a short space of time."
"For that experience it wouldn't be fair for me just to walk away. But I want to be part of a side playing rather than just carrying out the drinks as I have been for the last couple of winters.
"If they want me to go I'll gladly go. If they don't want me to go then I'll retire."
Harmison made his Test debut for England against India at Trent Bridge in 2002 and has since taken 226 wickets in 63 Test matches.
He has only featured in six Tests in England's last four away series over the past two winters.
"It's not fair on myself, not fair on the selectors and not fair on everybody else in England to keep coming back to somebody who they pick for one or two Test matches a year," he added. "I think they can move on from that." [/I]
Steve Harmison says he only wants to tour South Africa with England if he is assured of a "full part" in the side.
The Durham fast bowler was overlooked for a central contract last week and has been considering retiring from international cricket.
"I am only going to retire if England don't want me any more," Harmison told BBC Radio 5 live's Sportsweek. "I don't want to play as a bit-part player."
Harmison played the last two Ashes Tests as England beat Australia 2-1.
He has played no part in the seven-match one-day series and was not named in the squad for the Champions Trophy.
"When the one-day series is out of the way I'll sit down and speak with the selectors," said Harmison, who helped Durham win its second straight County Championship title last week.
"I fully understand this central contract issue. The simple fact is I've not done enough. I understand why I wasn't given a central contract because I hadn't done my job for England this year.
"But if they want me to go to South Africa I'll gladly go and be a full part of it."
England play two Twenty20 internationals and five one-dayers in South Africa in November before the four-Test series begins.
England coach Andy Flower has said Harmison remains a part of his plans.
Andrew Flintoff's retirement from Test cricket has left the England attack short of tall, experienced pace bowlers.
"It would be unfair of me to walk away now," said Harmison. "Andrew Flintoff's walked away so you're taking probably about 135 Test matches out of the equation in a short space of time."
"For that experience it wouldn't be fair for me just to walk away. But I want to be part of a side playing rather than just carrying out the drinks as I have been for the last couple of winters.
"If they want me to go I'll gladly go. If they don't want me to go then I'll retire."
Harmison made his Test debut for England against India at Trent Bridge in 2002 and has since taken 226 wickets in 63 Test matches.
He has only featured in six Tests in England's last four away series over the past two winters.
"It's not fair on myself, not fair on the selectors and not fair on everybody else in England to keep coming back to somebody who they pick for one or two Test matches a year," he added. "I think they can move on from that." [/I]
