Stewart vows to keep on going

London, May 15: Alec Stewart, English cricket's grand old man, will look to prove to the selectors that they cannot afford to do without him following his recall for Thursday's first Test against Sri Lanka.

Stewart, 39, wants to quit international cricket at a time of his choosing.

That means he still aims to be involved in this winter's Ashes tour of Australia and the World Cup in South Africa which follows although he admitted he would probably retire shortly afterwards.

He owes this latest Test chance to the broken arm sustained by Essex keeper James Foster.

"If James had been fit, I would not be playing the first few games of this summer," admitted Stewart set to make his 116th Test appearance on Thursday

"It's a very unfortunate injury for him but from a purely selfish point of view, it gives me a chance now to get back into the side," he added.

Foster, a county team-mate of England captain Nasser Hussain, seized his opportunity after Stewart decided not to tour India and was consequently not selected for New Zealand.

Despite some dodgy displays with the gloves the England management continued to back Foster and showed their faith by awarding him a central contract at the start of the season.

But just as Stewart's recall was down to Foster's injury so, effectively, was the Essex rising star's initial inclusion sealed by Stewart's fitness problems.

"At the end of last season I could not lift a mug of tea without discomfort. I had had five cortisone injections in both my elbows.

"It was time for an operation and the recovery period was such I could not have played cricket again until March," former England captain Stewart explained 

He quickly added that having had his first pre-season off in 13 years he felt "fresher than ever" and that he was alreadt back to "95 percent fitness".

Certainly there were no signs of decline as he hit successive 90s in Surrey's opening two Championship matches.

Stewart's selection and especially that of recalled 30-year-old John Crawley and Dominic Cork has been critcised, notably by Ian Botham as a failure by the selectors to let young players shine.

But with England looking for their first win in five series Stewart said:

"If all you do is look to the future you never pick your best side for now - it's about getting the balance right," explained Stewart who bounced back from being dropped in 1996 to becomes Test cricket's leading run scorer that year.

Looking further ahead Stewart said that the World Cup would provide the natural end to his international career.

"It would be nice to have one last crack at the Australians and it would be nice to play at the World Cup.

"After that, realistically would I carry on? It would have to be a huge question mark

"I have not said I will retire from international cricket then but there is every chance.

"Purely because then it would be a chance to move on, four years on there is another World Cup and you would have to build for the future.

"But it would be nice to have the opportunity to retire as against being told to go."