Harmison, 28, decided to suddenly quit after being left out of England's 16-man squad for the upcoming triangular series with Australia [ Images ] and New Zealand [ Images ], the last tournament before next year's World Cup in the West Indies [ Images ].

"After careful consideration and having taken advice from several people who have been close to me throughout my career, I have decided to retire from one-day international cricket with immediate effect," Harmison said in a statement released by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

"This has been a difficult decision but I want to play at the highest level for as long as I can and believe that concentrating solely on Test cricket is the best way forward for me during the next phase of what will hopefully be a long England career."