Gough upset by England exclusion Feature: Gough still loves cricket

The Essex star, 35, was overlooked for the one-dayers in India but remains hopeful of playing in the Caribbean.

However, Gower told BBC Five Live the selectors are looking to young bowlers like Lancashire's James Anderson.

"They're building to 2007, when Darren would be borderline even if he was playing all the way through," he said.

"It's a tough situation. Darren is someone people take to their hearts, they love the flamboyance and the spirit.

"But it's tricky when you get to that stage of your career. We saw the last time he played in the summer there were chinks in the armour, he was not quite 100%."

Gough, who has retired from Test cricket, was a regular in the one-day matches against Australia and Bangladesh in 2005 but proved expensive as he took his total of wickets to 235 from 157 games.

He ruled himself out of the tour of Pakistan to spend more time with his family, before taking part in - and winning - the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing TV show.

Darren's still a better bowler than Anderson David Gower

Despite that, Gower believes he has the edge over Anderson, who got the nod for the seven one-dayers in India in March.

The 23-year-old has struggled to establish himself in the Test and one-day teams after bursting on to the international scene in Australia three years ago.

He showed signs that his confidence was returning towards the end of the one-dayers in Pakistan, taking 4-48 in the last match in Rawalpindi.

But Gower told the Sportsweek programme: "I think Darren's still a better bowler.

"James has had a torrid time over the last couple of years, although he had some moments in Pakistan where it seemed to be kicking for him.