Graveney said: "He (Stewart) re-affirmed his desire to get back in the national team in both forms of cricket. Alec is in the frame, no doubt about it. The operation he had on his elbows was a success."

He also stated that: "James Foster is a young guy, just starting his career. We not only have to plan for the long term and the short term, but we also have to give England the best opportunity to win every game."

This is all well and good, but Stewart will be 39 by the time the World Cup comes around and this is most unordinary of players at his age, who have already decided they are past it and hang up the boots. Not though in Stewart's case.
But we all saw Stewart last year for England, his form has gone from the International scene. There is no doubting Stewarts class at County level and also the class he had at International level, but his England days are over and he really does seem past it.

Fossy, however, is still likely to be first choice for the summers Tests and rightly so. His batting and keeping in the Test's have been superb and deserves to play regularly. In the one-dayers, although Fossy has made a couple of errors, the way in which he has forgotten about them and turned it around is what impresses myself and many others and shows character for someone so young.
Instead of throwing Fossy out, we should be keeping him in and giving him confidence. One thing that really annoys me about this country, is that we build a player up then knock him down and so uneccassarly as well.

The only thing against Fossy is that he bats low at 8 and 9 in one-dayers, whereas Stewart would be higher. Ok, this is true, but you have to consider who is above Fossy and also the fact that he can score runs quickly (as he's proved at Essex) and can bat higher, if given the chance.

Fossy has certainly taken his chance at Test cricket and has kept out Waren Hegg this winter and surely will keep his place during the summer also. Lets hope if he's given a chance in one-dayers he will show what we know he can do and prove the critics wrong. Foster isn't the finished article, we all admit that, but he has done excellently this winter and can be the finished article if England let him continue.

The side that went to Zimbabwe, India and New Zealand is the side that is likely to play in the World Cup, as it was stated, that England were looking to build to the future and for the World Cup. You can't build for the future by bringing in a 39-year-old who will play a few matches then retire. It rather defeats the object.

Some might say I'm being biased towards the Essex player, but many more will agree I'm just saying it how it is.

'Scimitars' knows the talent of Fossy and England already realises that too. Let's hope they let it deservedly show.

What do you think?! Please put your views on the 'Scimitars Talk' messgeboard.

Date: 31/3/02