England have confirmed that fast bowler Steve Harmison will join up with the squad for the Test tour of Sri Lanka. The 29-year-old arrives in Colombo on Tuesday and could play in a warm-up match against a Board President's XI.

Harmison, 29, has been recuperating from injury with Highveld Lions in South Africa, where he took 13 wickets in two first class matches.

The Durham paceman had been put on standby but now becomes the 16th squad member. He was left out of England's initial squad for Sri Lanka, but the selectors left the door open for a return - providing he was able to fully recover from his injury.

And after talks between Harmison, Moores, David Graveney, the chairman of selectors, and bowling coach Ottis Gibson, it was decided he was fit to join up with the squad for the three-Test series, starting on December 1.

"Steve has proved he can bowl without breaking down and that he's bowling fit, so the next question is whether he's playing well enough to play for his country," Peter Moores, the England coach, said.

"He's got to come here and get involved and it will be good to see where he is at. It will be good to see him bowl as it will be good to see Michael Vaughan have a bat."

England begin the opening match of their tour against a strong Sri Lanka Cricket Board President's XI, captained by Tillakaratne Dilshan, tomorrow at the Colombo Cricket Club and have been granted permission to use as many players as they wish, in order to maximise match practice for the entire squad.

But they have a slight concern over James Anderson after he suffered a stiff back on Sunday.

Moores said they would take no risks over the Lancashire paceman, who has troubled by back problems over the last two seasons.

Moores said: "The physios feel it is an early twinge but we will be careful with it. They are expecting him to be better on Tuesday and to be able to take a part in this game but we will have to wait and see."

Matthew Hoggard, who was ruled out of the majority of the home series with West Indies last summer, says he is fit and raring to go in what he expects to be testing conditions.

"The heat and humidity is one of the biggest things, it drains and saturates you more than it does in a dry, hot country or even in England," he said.

"The pitches are obviously going to be suited to Muttiah Muralitharan rather than quick bowlers, so I think they will be slow and low."

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