London, August 22:

England fast bowler Steve Harmison is to play in the one-day cricket series against South Africa, which starts on Friday, reversing a decision of two years ago not to participate in the one-day international format.

The 29-year-old fast bowler made a comeback in the Test cricket earlier this month, taking four South African wickets at the Oval. Harmison played the last of his 46 one-dayers during the Champions Trophy two years ago and retired from one-day cricket following the 2006/07 Ashes series to spend more time from his family.

But he has agreed to come out of retirement following an approach by England staff including new skipper Kevin Pietersen and has joined the squad for the first of the five-match series at Headingley tomorrow.

“After recently being asked by the England management to reassess my retirement from one-day cricket I’ve decided to join England’s squad for the NatWest Series after careful consideration,” said Harmison.

Harmison will replace left-arm seamer Ryan Sidebottom, who has failed to recover from a niggling hip injury and has been ruled out of tomorrow’s start of the five-match series.