Harmison warns of body targeting Aussies in Ashes

Fast bowler Steve Harmison has warned that England’s quicks plan to target the body of young Australian batting sensation Phillip Hughes during the Ashes series.

Harmison may not be in the England attack but he was happy to furnish fast-bowling colleagues such as Stuart Broad and James Anderson with information about the Australians, and in particular, their new opening batsman.

"It was probably an eye-opener for Hughes. He is a very good player. I've seen him on television, he's 20, averaging 60 for Australia in Test cricket. He is no mug," Harmison said after taking three wickets on the opening day in Worcester.

His approach to Hughes, who made runs in the first tour game against Sussex but twice lost his middle stump in that game, was to crowd him on the leg side and bowl at his body.

"England have got to be wary of him but if what happened today has unearthed an area where England can bowl at him, great," Harmison said.

Harmison also observed a change in the touring team's demeanour since he last encountered them in 2006-07 when Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer were still around.

"The one thing I picked up is they're not as confident or as brash as they normally are," Harmison said.

Mike Hussey, whose unbeaten century provided the Australians with some much-needed reassurance in the middle order, was adamant Hughes would survive the short stuff that is sure to come his way in the Ashes, and that he should trust the technique that has brought him such extraordinary early success.