DARREN Gough has got to be honest when it comes to the selection of the Test squad to face South Africa.

The only man who knows if he is strong enough is Darren and really he is the one who has to take that final decision.

The knee injury that has dogged him of late has held up over the one-day series against Pakistan, Zimbabwe and South Africa, but there is a chance he could still not be 100 per cent as far as Test cricket goes.

Goughie has only played one-day cricket this year and it might be that he turns round to the selectors and says he wants to get a couple of County Championship games under his belt to test the knee.

The longer game throws up a whole host of problems.

He hasn't bowled 20 to 25 overs stints; he hasn't had to bowl three spells in a day and his knee hasn't had to withstand a couple of days just working in the field.

Darren has already admitted his knee needs ice after every bowling stint, so is he really ready for all that?

It has to be a gamble on Goughie's behalf. If he plays it cautious and says he will wait until the second Test he has to hope that the selectors will play ball.

However, if he plays and breaks down then it could be the end for him.

Meanwhile, one player who thankfully is looking at his best after problems with injury is Andy Flintoff.

He is bowling at his best right now and his batting is not bad either.

Hopefully, for Freddy's sake, the injuries are behind him now and he knows he is now regarded as an important and integral member of the squad - a senior player - and he is taking on that responsibility well.

James Anderson is one who will definitely be in the squad - even though he hasn't played at Test level.

You could use it as an argument against his selection but, when you consider the past 12 months, he has no experience at any level.

They keep on throwing James in at the deep end and he certainly isn't drowning - in fact he is swimming stronger than some others.

And I just hope the one-day and Test divide doesn't kick in.

Selectors sometimes see players as exponents of one game or the other. I feel all cricketers have what it takes to be good at both.

On that basis I would like to see someone like Vikram Solanki given his chance because he is one of the younger players who has turned round and ensured that the selectors have got every reason to take him on board with his recent performances.