Hussain encouraged by Gough's return to fitness

England fast bowler set for an unlikely recall for NatWest Series game against Sri Lanka at Headingley despite lack of match practice

A punchy, pumped-up and positive Darren Gough announced yesterday, that he is fit and raring to go, for today's NatWest Series game between England and Sri Lanka at Headingley.

After successfully coming through England's practice session yesterday morning their leading one-day wicket taker said: "I've done all the stuff I've been asked to do. I've played, I've fielded and I've bowled every day for the last two weeks, apart from a little setback last Monday. England have asked me if I am fit, and I told them I am. It is now up to them whether I play or not".

Getting back in the England fold will be a huge relief for Gough, who has not taken kindly to comments that he is overweight and speculation as to whether he is dedicated enough to get back in the England side. He said: "I am lighter now than I was in the winter and last season. The people who saw me training at Old Trafford [where speculation arose during England's third Test match against Sri Lanka] thought I had put on weight, but I had several sweaters on."

He went on to say: "I have worked hard at my fitness and all my tests with England have proved I am strong and fit. If there was a problem, I think they would have been the first to tell me, and I haven't heard anything from them yet."

Having a fully fit Gough back in the England side would be excellent news for Nasser Hussain, whose quick bowlers have struggled to keep the talented Sri Lankan and Indian batsmen under control. The England captain openly admits he has missed the experience and ability of his talismanic bowler during their first two matches in this tournament.

The only area of concern to possibly stop Gough making his comeback today in front of his adoring Yorkshire crowd, is whether the fast bowler, in the eyes of the selectors, has played enough competitive cricket to get himself in the form required for this level.

Despite having taken 168 one-day wickets playing Gough would be a gamble as he has only played one worthwhile game of cricket since his return from New Zealand at the end of February and that was for the Yorkshire 2nd XI.

Never one to underestimate his ability, though, Gough said: "I am not one of those mechanical bowlers who have 10 different trigger points. I just run up and bowl as fast as I can. I'm totally confident of not spraying the ball about and even though I know anyone can go around the park against high-class players, it doesn't faze me."

If Gough does win a recall the likeliest casualty would be his Yorkshire team-mate Matthew Hoggard, who has struggled for consistency in the first two games. There may also be the temptation, because of Headingley's reputation as an oasis for fast bowlers, to leave out the spinner Ashley Giles and play Alex Tudor in an all-seam attack. Giles, however, was the most successful of England's bowlers in their last game and the variety he brings should keep him his place.

For a beleaguered Sri Lanka side that has lost its first two games, this match is a must-win game. Out of luck but competing hard, England will hope Gough's possible arrival does not change the tourists' fortune.