England will stay No.1 for a long time: Harmison

Former England pace bowler Steve Harmison feels the current side will reign at the top of world cricket for years.

Harmison, alongwith Andrew Flintoff, Marcus ­Trescothick and Paul Collingwood, played a crucial role in wresting back the Ashes in 2005.

The Andrew Strauss-led side not only won the Ashes on Australian soil for the first time in 24 years but also replaced India as the No.1 Test side.

Harmison said Strauss along with head coach Andy Flower has done wonders with the team.

"It is just brilliant what the two Andys have done with the England team," Harmison was quoted as saying by The Mirror.

"But I think Andrew Strauss really has been the man above all others though who has driven this team forward.

"He took over in ­difficult circumstances in the West Indies in 2009 and he has led with courage. I played with Straussy in the first academy intake in Australia. I saw then what a tough b***** he was. If you want a man in the trenches with you, Straussy is your man.

"With him in charge I can see England staying No.1 for a long time."

England are now in India for a reverse series and will be playing five ODIs beginning from Oct 14 in Hyderabad.