DARREN Gough taunted those critics whom he claimed had said he would never be fit enough to return to Test cricket after a two-year absence through injury.

And his Yorkshire captain, Anthony McGrath, expressed his own delight at being chosen for England ahead of Graham Thorpe.

Gough, 32, convinced the four-man selection panel of coach Duncan Fletcher, chairman of selectors David Graveney, Rod Marsh and Geoff Miller that he can get through five days of intense cricket by being included in the 12-man squad for the first npower Test against South Africa.

Talking soon after he had taken only 1-68 in Yorkshire's shock defeat at the hands of Durham, Gough said: "I have bowled nearly 40 overs in this game and I feel as if I could have bowled another 15 without any problem.

"I ran in well and worked up a good pace but obviously I would have liked more wickets.

"To all those people who doubted me I would say 'bad luck'. Proving them wrong has been my inspiration. I have shown that with determination and pride you can come back whatever the difficulties you face.

"I have always wanted to get my way and not to be told by others that it's time to pack it in. I am over the moon about how things have gone generally for me in this game and now I'm totally confident that I am ready for Test cricket again.

"The encouraging thing is the general public in England want me to play even though I get criticised by the media sometimes because that is their job."

A clamour developed for Thorpe's return after youngsters Robert Key and Jim Troughton failed in their appearances this summer but McGrath struck half-centuries in his first two Test innings and has been given a chance to continue his international development.

Graveney said: "We are obviously pleased that Graham wants to commit himself to playing for England both home and abroad. But we felt in our discussions that we wanted to show consistency to Anthony McGrath who has done nothing wrong."

McGrath said: "I am delighted to have kept my England place because when a batsman of Thorpe's talent and record makes himself available you are bound to think you are under a bit of pressure.

"Despite that, I am feeling dejected about Yorkshire's defeat. We messed up in the second innings when we should have had another 40 or 50 runs but even then I thought we would win.

"I cannot criticise the efforts of the bowlers who gave everything and were well supported in the field. To be honest, a lead of 250 should have been enough."

Updated: 11:01 Saturday, July 19, 2003