Gough's example illustrates the benefit of central contracts

Darren Gough has revealed the importance of targets in his quest to become one of the great bowlers in English Test history.

Gough is ninth in the all-time list of English Test wicket takers. He has taken 192 wickets from 48 Tests, just one behind Jim Laker's 193 from 46 Tests and ten behind John Snow's 202 from 49 Tests. He admitted he finds the list of England's leading wicket-takers a motivational spur, and that he keeps it with him for reference.

"I look at the list of England's leading wicket-takers every day because it's in my case," admitted 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."

Gough also described some of the benefits of the central contract system. There has been some controversy in Yorkshire about the fast bowler's limited availability for his county, but Gough is convinced the system works and believes that it may help extend his career.

"I've been looked after well over this last 12 months. 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.

"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.

He hinted, too, that he had considered the option of a winter off, in the manner of Graham Thorpe last winter, who decided to spent some extra time at home. However, the birth of central contracts has prompted a re-think of that idea.

"I have thought about having a rest in the future but at the moment my body feels good," admitted Gough. "It will be a long summer this year against Australia and if I'm still feeling as if I've got plenty of energy, I'm bowling well and I'm picked then we'll have to wait and see.

"You want to play for England as many times as you can and you want to keep going. You don't want to miss series unless you have to because I consider myself lucky to have played as many Tests as I have."

Gough was considered to be somewhat injury prone in the past, but with his example of the benefits of the central contract system, Duncan Fletcher will feel he has a strong hand when he attempts to increase the number of players included in the scheme for the next 12 months.

Caddick and Gough have already established a record for the most successive innings as England's opening pair, and it is surely no coincidence that the same period has seen a revival of England's fortunes as a Test team.