Paceman Steve Harmison is urging England to pepper Australian opener Phillip Hughes with short-pitched bowling.

Harmison, playing for the England Lions in a four-day tour match against Australia, believes he found a weakness in Hughes' game on Wednesday night.

In a timely reminder to England selectors that he is still worthy of international cricket, Harmison claimed figures of 3-67, including the wicket of Hughes, who was caught fending to gully.

Harmison had earlier managed to crash a bouncer into Hughes' helmet.

"England have got to be wary of him but if what happened today has unearthed an area where England can bowl at him, then great," he said.

"I feel as if I picked up early where I wanted to bowl at him. I felt comfortable in the line and lengths I wanted to bowl at him."

"If you put the short ball in the right area, he will belt it. But he is susceptible to any ball coming anywhere around his hip and armpit area."

"That has given him an eye opener for what is to come because we have got some tall bowlers in the England team and they might target that area."

It was a weakness noticed by Graham Onions, another of England's Test aspirants.

"He didn't look comfortable, did he?" he said.

Hughes, 20, made a whirlwind start to Test, becoming the youngest batsman to ever score twin centuries against South Africa earlier this year.

His rich vein of form continued in England when in a short stint with county side Middlesex he pasted nearly 900 runs.

Team-mate Michael Hussey urged Hughes to keep playing with the freedom he has shown in his short Test career.

"He is on a bit of a wave at the moment. I know from personal experience once you do get on a roll or a wave hopefully you can ride it for a bit longer," Hussey said.

"In such a big series I hope he can certainly keep riding that wave."

"As long as he keeps a clear mind and keeps trusting his game and playing his way, it is an unorthodox way, but it is very effective."

"And he's got to stick to his way and if he does then I think he will definitely have success."

_With PA Sport_