Gough, never one to lack belief in his own ability, knows this but it is through hard work and determination that he has managed to get back to the top. But, at 32 and with knees as rickety as an old rocking chair, it is debatable how long he will last.Many thought he would never return to the first-class game, let alone the international stage, after a winter spent in Australia worrying about his future. There were rumours that Sky Sports was going to sign him up as a pundit and that retirement was imminent, after several negative appraisals of his injury. Gough, however, wanted to play and his selection not only justifies his belief in himself but also that of the selectors.Gough’s previous two tours to Australia, in 1994-95 and 1998-99, had been successful. However, after a 2002 of virtual inactivity because of injury, last winter’s trip “down under” was a disaster. Gough accepts now it was a plan that was always going to end in tears. “I wasn’t fit for the tour last winter when it came down to it,” he said.

“It was, however, a gamble I was willing to take because I wanted to play for my country and the selectors wanted me to play too. When we got there [Australia] the plans for my rehab went out of the window because they wanted me to play quickly and I wanted to be back bowling as soon as possible.”The worse moment was when the surgeon told me to find another career I flew home the next day. I went to see a specialist in America and he said that he had known sportsmen with worse knees than me carry on and that there was no reason why I couldn’t carry on playing for longer. As long as I worked hard on my fitness.”During my time with England Gough was never a keen trainer. He had a big heart, was naturally fit and as strong as an ox.

He preferred to leave his sweat out in the middle in those days, rather than in a gym. These setbacks have changed his outlook completely.”I have been to the gym every day now for the last six months,” he said. “I’m not young any more and I don’t have to be told by Yorkshire, they leave me to do my training.”If Gough comes through these next few weeks, it will not be long before he starts demanding his place in the Test side back It is unlikely Hussain would need much persuading.. Darren Gough was given the chance to relaunch his international career yesterday when the Yorkshire fast bowler was named in England’s one-day squad for the matches against Pakistan, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Injury, retirement and the selectors’ broom mean there are only six survivors from the squad who travelled to South Africa in February to compete for the World Cup.The selection of Kabir Ali, Rikki Clarke, Robert Key, Richard Johnson, Anthony McGrath and James Troughton is a clear indication that the selectors are at last giving youth its chance to impress. Although raw, the squad given to the new England one-day captain, Michael Vaughan, is not quite as innocent as it appears. Key and McGrath are playing in the Test series against Zimbabwe and five of the six who are yet to don the blue of England have previously been involved in squads. Troughton, the dashing left-hander from Warwickshire, can be considered the only complete novice but each has been given first crack at becoming potential members of the 2007 World Cup squad.Vikram Solanki and Chris Read, should the Nottinghamshire wicketkeeper recover from a broken thumb sustained at the weekend, have both been given recalls, while James Kirtley, Matthew Hoggard, Graham Thorpe and Adam Hollioake are notable absentees.It is the selection of Gough which causes the most intrigue, however. Written off as an England player and told by a surgeon to go out and find a new career when he returned home early from Australia during the winter, this return to the international arena is a triumph for England’s highest wicket-taker in one-day cricket.There have been a couple of occasions when Gough has attempted to return earlier than recommended but with typical bravado he has continued to claim he would be back.