By Martin Gough BBC Sport Online

The pairing of Darren Gough with Andrew Caddick has been key in England's improvement over the last three years.

But it has been the differences between the duo, rather than their combined force, that has brought them success.

Caddick made his debut in 1993 and Gough a year later, but, amazingly, the pair played just three matches together before Duncan Fletcher became England coach.

Caddick v Gough

Tests: Caddick 62 Gough 56 Wickets (2nd inns): Caddick 234 (103) Gough 228 (79) Average: Caddick 29.91 Gough 27.57 Best: Caddick 7-46 Gough 6-42

Caddick's maverick temperament saw him yo-yo in and out of favour, while Gough's injury record conspired to see the pair swap places in the England attack.

And England's results were unimpressive for much of that time, reaching a nadir in 1999 when defeat at home to New Zealand saw them rated the worst Test nation.

Fletcher joined captain Nasser Hussain at the helm for the tour to South Africa that followed.

And so began a 25-match run in which Caddick and Gough featured together at the top of the bowling figures.

Caddick has thrived in the second innings of Tests

Gough was under-par in South Africa as England suffered a 3-1 defeat, but Caddick's bounce unnerved the hosts, his seven for 46 forcing a follow-on in Durban.

A 1-0 win over Zimbabwe followed during the summer of 2001 and the pair combined brilliantly to down West Indies for the first time in 31 years.

Although Caddick was unable to star in foreign conditions, Gough's reverse swing played a major part in tour victories in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

But neither managed to fire as Australia dominated the Ashes series in England in 2001, in what could now prove to be the last time Caddick and Gough joined forces.

Caddick has voiced fears Gough will struggle to regain his form at the highest level after a long-term knee injury.

And, despite Hussain's public statement of support, time must be running out for the 34-year-old Somerset paceman after another Ashes series highlighted his flaws.

Caddick's wickets have come as carrion after Gough's initial attack - a mirror of their differing chracters.

Gough is seen as more of a breakthrough bowler

Caddick is at his best in the second innings of Tests, as at Sydney three weeks ago, when he overtook Gough as England's seventh-highest wicket-taker.

A look at their statistics shows that 44% of Caddick's 234 Test wickets have come in the opposition's second innings, compared to 35% of Gough's 228.

The England side of the future is more likely to depend on youngsters such as Steve Harmison, who took four wickets in the first innings at Sydney.

Simon Jones will take another 10 months to return from injury, but a return to his early form would see a quick return.

And James Anderson's one-day performances so far have raised England hopes of a young pace attack that will rival Caddick and Gough not being too far away.

"I have been with England on and off for 10 years now and there comes a time when you have to start thinking of the future," Caddick admitted.

"It's hard work and it's just a shame the England side from two years ago has slowly been depleted.

"In fact, if we had played this tour with the side we had that won in Pakistan and Sri Lanka I think we would have done very well indeed.

"Unfortunately we haven't."