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Steve Harmison and Stuart Broad have been recalled to the England [Images] team for the final Test against South Africa [Images] starting on Thursday at The Oval.

Ryan Sidebottom, England's leading wicket-taker over the last 12 months, and batsman Ravi Bopara [Images] lost their places in the team named on Wednesday by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

New captain Kevin Pietersen [Images] said that Harmison, with 212 wickets from 58 Tests, was keen to play Test cricket again after a five-month absence.

"He had a bounce in his step, and the way he bowled this morning to (Andrew) Flintoff in the nets it can only work for us," the 28-year-old Pietersen told a news conference.

The inclusion of Harmison and Broad means England will have a five-man bowling attack for the first time in the series.

"I feel a lot more comfortable with four fast bowlers and I've given a lot more responsibility to the batters to score some runs," added Pietersen, who was also pleased with the selection of Broad.

"He's a positive player who learns quickly," the captain said of the 22-year-old, who, despite being renowned for his bowling, has an average of more than 40 with the bat after 11 Test innings.

Team:

Andrew Strauss [Images], Alastair Cook [Images], Ian Bell [Images], Kevin Pietersen (captain), Paul Collingwood [Images], Andrew Flintoff [Images], Tim Ambrose, Stuart Broad, Steve Harmison, James Anderson [Images], Monty Panesar [Images].