Harmison admits his frustrations

England fast bowler Steve Harmison said he has been as frustrated as anyone at his wayward form during the Ashes.

Harmison started off poorly but has been becoming more consistent as the Ashes have progressed but he admitted this was no consolation.

He said: "After the first Test - which I still don't want to talk about - it feels as if it has got better and better for me.

"But that is no consolation, because we are 4-0 down."
Harmison said he could not put his finger on why he has under-performed for parts of the series.

"I am frustrated myself. But it is not through lack of effort - I have tried my nuts off through all five Test matches," he said.

"Things have not gone my way, but I have tried my hardest every single time."

And he said a number of other England players had owned up to their own shortcomings in this series.

"There are a few people in our dressing room who have not performed at the right time - and that is why we are not winning," he added.

"But it is not through lack of effort. We have been beaten by a better side."

He said all the bowlers had had to shoulder more responsibilty in the absence of Matthew Hoggard, England's leading wicket-taker in the series.

"Obviously, if you lose probably your best bowler of the series, everybody has to step up a little bit and that's what we've tried to do," he said.

And he still believes England can win the final Test match and save their blushes from the ignominy of a whitewash.

Australia will resume on 188-4, 103 runs behind England's first innings total of 291 all out.

Harmison took 2-34 from 16 overs.

"We are in a similar position to what they were at the end of the first day's play. This morning they put the ball in the right areas and got the wickets. That is what we have got to do tomorrow," he added.