Cricket: England set for Gooch experience: Former captain a contender

INTRODUCING a 40-year-old is not the most obvious way to launch a dynamic new era or pep up a one-day international side but England are likely to do just that this weekend by recalling Graham Gooch for next week's Texaco Trophy matches against New Zealand.

Twenty years after making his international debut, Gooch, far from being 'fed up' like his old foe Allan Border, has had his desire rekindled by a winter off and is chomping at the bit.

Having interrupted his ritual slaying of county attacks to volunteer for another winter touring Australia's airports, Gooch can only be excluded on the grounds of his fielding or an insistence from the captain Michael Atherton that he wants to stay with his young bloods.

Neither seem likely, especially as Ray Illingworth, the new chairman of selectors, is keen on playing an experienced batsman. That had appeared to be Mike Gatting but now Gooch can be expected to be jogging to fine leg when England take the field at Edgbaston on Thursday.

His return should not disrupt Atherton's opening partnership with Alec Stewart, which has become such a core component of the side Stewart is unlikely even to be asked to keep wicket.

The gloves are earmarked for Steve Rhodes, who has followed a successful A tour with a century against the tourists. Rhodes played three internationals against Australia in 1989 but missed out on the Tests. Barring a couple of Teflon days at Edgbaston and, on Saturday, Lord's, a Test debut should follow this time.

Gooch may bat three, followed by Robin Smith, Graeme Hick and Graham Thorpe. The spare batsmen, who may well play, ought to be Neil Fairbrother, given his proven limited-overs pedigree. Mark Ramprakash, with a Benson and Hedges Cup century this season, Alan Wells or, given Illingworth's intention to pick one-day specialists, the combative Dermot Reeve will also be considered, especially with Fairbrother's fitness in doubt.

Bowling, as usual, presents the most serious problem for Illingworth, Atherton and their fellow selectors, Brian Bolus, Fred Titmus and Keith Fletcher. Advance reports of the pitch suggest Devon Malcolm may play at Edgbaston and Angus Fraser will be in the 13 - who are named tomorrow - but who else? Dominic Cork played himself into the side on Tuesday, then hobbled out of it on Wednesday when his knee demanded a week's rest.

The main possibilities, with an eye on the batting, are Andy Caddick, Chris Lewis and Philip DeFreitas. Mark Ilott, Steve Watkin and Darren Gough are also contenders though they are more likely to figure in Test selection.

The spinner could be another Illingworth favourite with the uncapped Shaun Udal being preferred to Peter Such (poor batting), Ian Salisbury (too inconsistent) and Phil Tufnell ('other distractions').

Whoever is chosen, England will need to play well. New Zealand may have looked an ordinary side in their county travels so far and be short of well-known names but in one-day cricket they have become a competitive unit. They won matches against Australia, South Africa, India and Pakistan during the winter while England have lost 10 of their last 12, which is an appalling record in a genre as haphazard as limited-over cricket.

ENGLAND 13 (possible): M A Atherton (capt), A J Stewart, G A Gooch, R A Smith, G A Hick, G P Thorpe, N H Fairbrother (if fit), S J Rhodes (wkt), C C Lewis, A R Caddick, S D Udal, A R C Fraser, D E Malcolm.