Steve Harmison has dismissed as "ludicrous" suggestions Andrew Flintoff was named England captain because only he can inspire the fast bowler.

Harmison also denied he pulled out of the series with Pakistan because he does not enjoy the one-day game.

"To suggest he has been made captain just because of me is ludicrous.

"Some people have said Fred can get the best out of me but that's not the reason he was picked. I always try to get the best out of myself," he said.

"At the end of the day, I've got to walk off the field and know I've tried everything I can. If a player needs somebody to be captain to get the best out of him, he shouldn't be playing."

Oblique references, concerning the captaincy and the pace bowler's fitness, have been made in the media about Harmison since he pulled out of last month's one-day series.

He has struggled with homesickness in the past, and suffered a year of indifferent form before rediscovering his attacking instinct in the Test series against Pakistan with an 11-wicket haul at Old Trafford.

"I'm not really bothered what people say about me -- life is about opinions," he said.

"I had a sore side and I don't think I could have played in the one-day games. That's why I was pulled. I would probably have done myself more harm than good."

England's first net session was disrupted on Monday after the practice ground made available to them was double-booked by South Africa.

Andrew Flintoff's men arrived at the Sri Fort Sports Complex at 10am to find the South Africans warming up, playing football on the outfield.

The venue was arranged by the International Cricket Council, and having two teams practising in tandem has been usual practice this week.

England coach Duncan Fletcher appeared far from happy with the arrangement, however, and was involved in a lengthy exchange with South African counterpart Mickey Arthur.