But all this amounts to a mild sniffle rather than a terminal illness and since Australia have feigned this way before, nobody in the England hierarchy will be taking too much notice.England’s side will be announced this morning and while the refreshing new chairman David Graveney declared at the outset that the slate for all previously concerned had been wiped clean, the nucleus of the side is clear. In England’s case the maxim so far is more theory than practice but there seems to be a genuine belief in the air that a settled side, whose members know each other’s strengths and weaknesses, will eventually yield improved results. The suspicion that this might start as soon as the First Test against Australia, which begins on Thursday on an Edgbaston pitch thought at best to be contrary, has also gained astonishing credibility. Australia may be the best Test team in the world by the length of their captain’s poor run of form but their preparation for the Ashes series has been distinctly patchy.
Hampered early by cold, damp conditions, they were hammered in the Texaco limited-over series and were restored only partially on a flat pitch at Bristol last week, where two of the side’s fringe members, Matthew Elliott and Justin Langer, made hundreds. But I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I miss my white helmet.”.

Continuity has suddenly become the guiding philosophy of the England Test team. It is as if it dawned on the Scout movement last week that being prepared might be a wise move. “Put it this way, Graham Gooch is a man I look up to more than any other player. So if I can keep fit, and display a similar attitude, then I hope I can go on playing the game for just as long as him.”For me, playing for England is the be-all and end-all, my way of showing people that I’m trying to be the best.” Stewart’s patriotism extends to accepting the new dress code for England players “It’s important to look the part,” he said “Otherwise you just cop flak. “I think I’m regarded as a senior player in the England side now, and if I feel I have a contribution to make then I do – and Athers has always been very receptive to advice.”With luck and fitness, the words of wisdom should be available for some time to come, as Stewart, who is 34, intends to prolong his time at the top.

Even Geoff Marsh came up to me and told me he couldn’t believe how well we were fielding. We’ll have to wait and see how the rest of the summer turns out, but we can beat them – even though we still have the utmost respect for them.”Stewart is sure to make an important contribution, not just with bat and gloves, but in the constant cajoling of his colleagues that has become as much of a personal trademark as the late white helmet. “Everywhere you read that we were the underdogs, that there was going to be a whitewash,” he said “But we turned it on and really surprised the Aussies. “I’m Jack’s biggest fan,” Stewart said, “and I’m as close to him as I am to anyone in cricket. I just think it’s a real shame that one of us has to be left out.”Stewart it is who has the gloves for the summer, and the Ashes. While he was quite sensibly not making predictions about the Test series, Stewart could not conceal his relish for the Texaco Trophy victory.