PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, (Reuters) - Fast bowler Steve Harmison said five wickets for 48 in the second Test yesterday was an even better performance than his seven for 12 which helped win the first Test in Jamaica last weekend.
Harmison repeated his Jamaica heroics yesterday to reduce West Indies to 189 for eight at the close on day one, and the Durham man said his effort at the Queen's Park Oval was a further improvement.
``I honestly think I bowled better today than I did on Sunday,'' said Harmison. ``I think I put the ball in better areas - obviously not in the first spell but in my second spell.''
Harmison bowled six overs without reward with the new ball, but when Michael Vaughan switched him to the Pavilion End, the move paid immediate dividends.
Chris Gayle, Devon Smith and captain Brian Lara were all dismissed in the space of eight balls as West Indies slumped from a commanding position of 100 without loss.
Dwayne Smith and Ramnaresh Sarwan followed after tea as Harmison collected five wickets in an innings for the third time in his Test career.
``I think the weather conditions changed and helped me,'' he said. ``When I came on for my second spell 20 minutes before lunch, the clouds came over and suddenly a flat pitch started doing a bit. It was a bit like Lord's.''
Harmison said he did not think his Jamaica performance would sink in until the England team got back home but he admitted that he did feel he now has an edge over the West Indies batsmen.
``I think when you get two or three quick wickets, like I did today, and it's the same people as on Sunday, there is certainly more in their minds than in mine,'' he said.
``To get someone like Brian Lara out - one of the best batsmen in the world - gives you an extra kick. I think that extended my spell by about three or four overs.''