Stewart and Atherton - 100th Test match landmark

Former England captains Alec Stewart and Michael Atherton, who are due to make their 100th Test Match appearances in the Third Cornhill Test Match against West Indies starting on Thursday, will continue to be involved in England's future plans - according to David Graveney, Chairman of the Selectors.

Stewart, 37 years-old, and Atherton, 32 years-old but prone to back problems, are only too willing to continue while their ability to play at the highest level remains intact. Graham Gooch, Colin Cowdrey, Geoff Boycott, David Gower and Ian Botham are the only England players to have reached the 100 Test Match landmark which (barring accidents) they are about to achieve.

Graveney said: "It's a worry for me how we're going to replace them. I'm notsaying they can't be replaced, but it isn't going to be easy and I hope wecansqueeze a good few more Tests out of them yet."

Gooch, the fifth and hitherto last man to attain his century of appearances (in Calcutta in 1993) has most Test Matches to his credit - 118 - which is well within the reach of both Atherton and Stewart: indeed, sixteen Test Matches are scheduled between now and the end of next season.

Graveney has called on supporters to enjoy this historic moment. He points out that although these two players are of different character they are ideal role models for those who wish to represent their country in sport. He drew particular attention to the way in which Stewart has strove to maintain his fitness which has enabled him to cover two roles in the team. Atherton, too, has become a by-word for courage and stubbornness in his innings: he has missed few Test Matches in spite of the pain he has suffered.

Above all Graveney pointed to the selfless manner in which they have continued to serve their country once their own tenure of the captaincy was over and that has distinguished them as good servants of their country and a positive influence with the players. Atherton and Stewart have been exemplary in the manner in which they have handled success and failure, and have endured some cruel articles written about them. They had helped each other to get over the loss of leadership and are now helping current captain Nasser Hussain.

Different though they ay be in character they have a common characteristic of wanting to succeed for their country and, in spite of the praise they will receive at Old Trafford, their sole aim will be to achieve victory over West Indies and to establish a 2-1 lead in the series. It would give them an opportunity of squaring some hard-fought accounts with the West Indians.