STEVE Harmison gave the England selectors food for thought as he tormented Australia’s opening batsmen at New Road in an intriguing battle.

The Durham pace ace had Phillip Hughes in all sorts of early trouble, striking him on the helmet with his first ball, before claiming three wickets for England Lions by the close of play.

Mike Hussey led the way for the Baggy Greens batsmen with an unbeaten 143, while Simon Katich, one of Harmison’s victims, fell five short of his century as Australia were 337-8 at stumps.

Hussey made the Lions pay after he was dropped on 75 by Sajid Mahmood when the score was 197-6 as he and Mitchell Johnson put on 109 for the seventh wicket — and he was put down again by Adil Rashid on 132.

But the day started well for the Lions as they exploited the early morning conditions at Worcestershire’s headquarters.

Durham pace duo Harmison and Graham Onions gave Hughes a torrid time in the opening few overs before he gloved another short delivery to Joe Denly at gully for seven.

Worcestershire skipper Vikram Solanki took the all-important catch to remove Baggy Greens captain Ricky Ponting for a disappointing single.

Katich and Hussey repaired the early damage as the wicket flattened out before the former fell five short of his century.

Then, as the ball became soft and out of shape, it was changed at the end of the 45th over and suddenly a mini-collapse began.

With the first ball, Michael Clarke played a loose shot off Tim Bresnan to give Rashid some catching practice and then six balls later Marcus North angled the ball back on to his stumps off Onions for just one.

Bresnan grabbed his second wicket when he trapped Brad Haddin lbw for seven and then New Road wicketkeeper Steve Davies took a leg side catch to remove Johnson for 47.

Harmison claimed the final wicket of the day as he yorked Brett Lee for just six.