By Scott Heinrich

Darren Gough is not a creature to die wondering.

He may wear his heart on his sleeve and appear more perspiration than inspiration at times, but Gough is no fool.

A DAZZLING TEST CAREER Tests: 58 Wickets: 229 Average: 28.40 Best: 6-42 (inns); 9-92 (match) Economy rate: 3.30 runs/over Strike rate: 51.61 balls/wicket Runs: 855 Catches: 13 Gough's Test career in pictures

Beneath the Muhammad Ali-like air of confidence that preceded his comeback - "I have no doubt I'll be back, I'm number one" - the cocky Yorkshireman knew deep down his chances of success were only moderate.

On the face of it, months and months of rehabilitation have come to nothing.

But privately, he may consider it mission accomplished already despite his two return Test matches yielding one wicket for the cost of 215 runs.

Gough, it must be remembered, was told his career was on the scrapheap when England medics sent him home from Australia last year without bowling a ball.

Strength of character is just as important to Gough as strength of body, and Dazzler brought genuine desire back to the Test arena as well as a patched-up knee.

But in reality that was no more than Gough ever offered England, only this time the body was not so willing as the mind.

A person of lesser commitment, lesser passion, would have swallowed their medicine rationally and stepped down with reputation intact.

Not Gough, who knew his powers would be diminished and that he ran the risk of being walloped around the park like a bowler of half his ability.

Gough's commitment was a beacon to his team-mates

Graeme Smith and company ensured Gough's final flings in Test cricket were not happy ones, but the man aptly dubbed Dazzler departs with head held high.

Throughout his 58-Test career, Gough embodied the competitor England fans wanted the rest of the team to shadow: confident, spirited, unbendable.

But he was more than that, probably the best spearhead England has produced since Willis and a 300-wicket bowler if ever there was one.

There were many highlights, not least his hat-trick against Australia in 1999 and an electric two-year spell in 1997-98 when he proved his worth against the Aussies and South Africa.

Gough looked to be at the peak of his powers when joining the '200 Club' against Pakistan at Lord's in 2001, and he was one of England's best performers in the Ashes drubbing later that summer.

But then came the knee injuries that ultimately would spell the end of Dazzler as we knew and loved him.

Embarking on the road to recovery was a risk Gough had to take, and it was a measure of the player that selectors were obliged to follow suit.

In many ways Gough looked antiquated against South Africa, a dinosaur among England's new breed of quicks.

But the Gough Age is finally over, and the sobering reality for England is that calling on their inspirational talisman is no longer an option, in Tests at least.