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| |  Tuesday, 13 March, 2001, 17:55 GMT Gough gives value for money  Darren Gough: Contracts have helped keep him fresh The introduction of central contracts was not welcomed by all, not least the counties, but Darren Gough believes they have proved an integral part of England's revival. Chairman of selectors David Graveney and coach Duncan Fletcher are soon to decide on the beneficiaries of the next set of England contracts. Fletcher is keen for the number to be extended from 12 to 15, a suggestion that is unlikely to be welcomed by the 18 first-class counties.
Yet the form the Yorkshire fast bowler has displayed since he signed on last year offer a glowing endorsement of the scheme, as does England's record. It may not have pleased his county, but it has his country. Of the 12 Tests they have since played only two have been lost and Gough has been influential throughout. He has taken 53 wickets at an average of 22.45 including 19 wickets on the spin-friendly surfaces of the sub-continent this winter. "I've been looked after well over this last 12 months," said Gough.
"There were doubts about central contracts but the way Nasser and Duncan have looked after me between games has been brilliant. "They ask me if I want to play, do I need to play and they've looked after me well. I've hardly played any games in between Test cricket in the last year and a half." His eight-wicket return in Kandy lifted Gough to ninth in the list of England's leading wicket taker in Tests with 192 and he needs only two more to climb another place and overtake Jim Laker. But the one that he wants lies ten wickets away is another fast bowler Jon Snow. "I look at the list of England's leading wicket-takers every day because it's in my case," said Gough. "It's not to do with the statistics, but everybody has their little targets in life and the best way for me to keep going is by trying to pass the names above me.
"Every time I pass one I cross them off and it would be nice to go up the order as far as I can - to get 200 wickets would be a big thing for me. "I admire every single bowler on that list but the one target I had from four years ago was to get past Jon Snow - I even put a star next to his name. "I want to go on playing for another two or three years but I want to be playing when I'm still strong and fit," he said. "I have thought about having a rest in the future but at the moment my body feels good." | | Other top England on Tour stories:  Links to top England on Tour stories are at the foot of the page. | ||||
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