Harmison the key, says beaten Fleming

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming said Stephen Harmison had been the key to the Kiwis' Test series reverse completed on Monday.

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming said on Monday England fast bowler Stephen Harmison had been the key to the Kiwis' Test series reverse completed on Monday.

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England beat New Zealand by nine wickets at Headingley on Monday to take an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series following their seven-wicket win at Lord's.

Harmison had match figures of eight for 131, his tally for the series now standing at an impressive 15 for 333 with his wickets coming at an economical cost of just over 22 runs each.

And Fleming said he could have the same impact for England as Brett Lee had for Australia.

Asked if Harmison, 25, could be compared to Glenn McGrath, the rock of the Australian attack, Fleming likened him instead to the more explosive Lee.

"I don't think he wants to do what Glenn McGrath does. I'm sure he'd like the same statistics but he is a different bowler.

"He's more the Brett Lee combination with a bit more height. He is a bit more dynamic than Glenn McGrath."

Fleming said his pace attack at Headingley had failed to defend a healthy first innings total.

"After getting 409 in helpful bowling conditions I stated we were in front and we were in front. The penetration we had with the ball was pretty nil on a wicket that offered a lot throughout."

Fleming contrasted the performance of his pacemen with that of Harmison.

The tall Durham quick's height (6ft 4in, 1.93m) made him a menacing prospect and Fleming said: "It was the quicker bowlers, the Harmisons, who created the pressure. It was almost two different games.

"He (Harmison) is number two in the world rankings and in these conditions he was outstanding. His natural attributes of being tall and getting bounce magnify any inconsistencies in the wicket."

Unlike England, Fleming's side have been without their quickest bowler, Shane Bond. He did not play at Lord's and only appeared as substitute at Headingley.

Bond has been out of international cricket since May last year with a stress fracture of the back and on Sunday officials said he would be flying home ahead of the third Test at Trent Bridge starting Thursday.

"I was very keen to get over here because I felt we had a good side," added Fleming who led New Zealand to a 2-1 series win in England in 1999.

"But we have lacked a spearhead in our bowling. Harmison has been the leading light for England, I believe and we do lament the loss of Shane Bond without bowling a ball.

"The other guys (Daryl Tuffey, Chris Martin, Jacob Oram, Chris Cairns) have done well for us in New Zealand but we were looking forward to a full contingent which we didn't have and that hurt us in this game particularly."

Wellington left-arm swing bowler James Franklin, presently playing club cricket in England for Blackburn, has been called in as cover for Bond.

New Zealand's tour has been severely affected by injuries.

At Headingley left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori tore a hamstring and could not bat in New Zealand's second innings. He is now doubtful for Trent Bridge.

Meanwhile New Zealand batsmen Craig McMillan and Michael Papps have both sustained broken left little fingers.

Mathew (sic) Sinclair, who was playing club cricket in East Anglia, has been drafted into the squad.

All-rounder Oram batted at Headingley but was unable to bowl and Fleming said: "Getting 11 fit guys is one concern at the moment. We're getting guys up and down the motorway.

"We want to win the next Test but maybe it will be an opportunity to get some young players in there to taste the experience of an English Test.

"At the moment we're below par and have been beaten soundly twice."