Harmy blasts England selectors for 'puzzling' Pattinson pick

The Nottinghamshire bowler's shock call-up, ahead of Harmison, fellow 2005 Ashes hero Matthew Hoggard and Hampshire's Chris Tremlett, backfired as Michael Vaughan's side lost by10 wickets.

Pattinson took two wickets but did not pose a consistent threat to the tourists and Harmison admitted today he remains mystified by the debutant's selection.

Forgotten men: England's 2005 Ashes heroes Harmison and Hoggard

He said: 'I am puzzled by it. I had a few things to say when Darren Pattinson was picked. It was nothing against him but a lot of the lads who have put in performances throughout the last couple of years have missed out and are disappointed.'

Prior to the Headingley defeat, Harmison was also scathing about the Pattinson decision, saying: 'After the amount of money the ECB have pushed into young bowlers, taking them to Chennai and the Academy, are we saying the young bowlers aren't good enough?'

Vaughan admitted England were undermined by a 'confused' team selection, but his coach Peter Moores today indicated the captain played a key role in the elevation of Pattinson.

Moores said: 'Vaughany knows the conditions here well and he felt we needed a bowler to give us a full length, because the pitch looked as if it was going to be slow.'

Harmison and his Durham teammate Paul Collingwood, who was dropped for the Test, will both have a point to prove in tonight's Twenty20 quarter-final against Glamorgan at the Riverside.

Harmison added: 'Durham are the only winners in this situation. If we are doing well and knocking on the door, Durham are going to have a successful summer.'