HAMPSHIRE batsman Kevin Pietersen has shaken off a slight hamstring strain and will face Sri Lanka at his home Rose Bowl ground in tonight's Twenty20 international against Sri Lanka.

Pietersen was rested as a precautionary measure from the England side that defeated Ireland in Belfast two days ago, but will play in England's second ever Twenty20 ODI.

The first, against Australia at the Rose Bowl 12 months ago, ended in a stunning 100-run win for England. That set the tone for the Ashes series which followed.

Tonight's match is unlikely to generate the same interest, but seamer Steve Harmison said: "Last year was a bit different because it was against Australia, but it's the same situation because if you go well it takes you into the one-day series.

"It's got nowhere near the significance it had last year, but it's a new format of the game and we're going to go out and enjoy it."

Newcastle fan Harmison was in Frankfurt last weekend to watch England's opening game of the World Cup against Paraguay alongside close friend Andrew Flintoff, who has been told to rest for a month with an ankle problem.

The Durham ace returned from his trip lifted by the passionate support for England in Germany and determined to capture that feel-good factor when he lines up for England tonight.

Harmison insists the England World Cup game taking place before tonight's match will not distract his teammates, adding: "We'll be preparing for the Twenty20 game, but we'll still be keeping tabs on the World Cup like everybody else.

"We're going to have one eye on what's going on but we'll be focussed as well on the Twenty20. We'll do our preparation and do what we have to do, but we'll still be supporting England."

England will make a late check on Lancashire seamer Glen Chapple (abdominal strain) and Durham all-rounder Paul Collingwood (strained left thigh) before naming their line-up.