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England hope to shed 'worst in world' tag

England's cricketers set off for their tour of South Africa tomorrow as the worst team in the world.

They aim to return next February with the makings of a side who can offer an authentic challenge for the Ashes in 2001 and the World Cup in 2003.

England's longer term objectives were a prime consideration in giving captain Nasser Hussain eight players in a squad of 17 with only nine Test caps between them.

For all their lack of international experience, they were identified as the prospects who might ultimately transform the team's ailing fortunes.

They were at their lowest ebb after failing to progress beyond the first round of the World Cup and losing a four-Test series to New Zealand 2-1 in the last English season.

Hussain said: ''We are the worst side in the world but we must try to keep on a even keel, try and look long term and set a game plan for two or three years down the line.

''The feeling generally when we sat down to pick the side was 'let's see an injection of youth and new talent'. That's what we've tried to do for this tour, and I'm excited to see how some of these lads are going to go.''

Sussex captain and powerful top-order batsman Chris Adams, Yorkshire opener Michael Vaughan, his county team mate and all-rounder Gavin Hamilton, and Northamptonshire off-spinner Graeme Swann are the uncapped quartet with the opportunity to help haul England out of the doldrums.

In addition, relative newcomers Darren Maddy, Andrew Flintoff, Chris Read and Alex Tudor will be battling for a regular place during the four-month southern Africa adventure which includes a one-day series in Zimbabwe.

Read, the Nottinghamshire wicketkeeper who played three of the Tests against New Zealand, appears to have the hardest job because Alec Stewart has been pencilled in as the first-choice Test 'keeper.

Former England skipper Stewart forms part of the ''spine of experience'' that chairman of selectors David Graveney says they want to have running through the side.

Such a backbone starts with opener Michael Atherton, who is returning to the scene of his epic, match-saving 185 not out in the Johannesburg Test four years ago, continues with Stewart and Hussain in the middle, and has Darren Gough at the base.

Gough is not only their premier strike bowler but also the heart of the team, a personality whose infectious spirit can be guaranteed to lift the mood of the dressing room.

He can rattle the South African batting, too, as he did so memorably with his Test best of six for 42 to fire England to a series-winning victory at Headingley in 1998.

Hussain will want men of heart and character around him for what will be a demanding assignment.

''South Africans, by their personality, nationality and team spirit, are very up for it,'' the England captain said. ''They are in-your-face sort of people on and off the field, and it's going to be a hard tour that will take a strong character to come out on top.

''Strength of character comes about in different ways. If you want to be in their face, then be in their face, but it also comes out from inner strength.''

Recalling the fiery confrontation between Atherton and fast bowler Allan Donald in the 1998 Trent Bridge Test, Hussain said: ''I don't think Mike said a lot but you could see in his eyes and in his face he was going to be strong.

''I think that's the sort of strength of character and the way we want our team to be. It has to come from knowing your game and feeling 100 per cent confident in your ability whatever they throw at you.''

England's itinerary opens on November 1 and includes five Tests against South Africa and a triangular one-day series with the host nation and Zimbabwe.

UNI