The moment may well come today when Elworthy, making a belated Test debut at 33 years of age, confronts Hick, seeking to resuscitate his England position. As he says: ``After all this time, we meet again one hundred centuries later for Graeme.''

Much as he is looking forward to an after-match reunion - and a beer or two to help the reminiscing - it comes as something of a surprise for Elworthy to see his former school chum down to bat at No 6.

``It says something for the depth of the England batting to see him going in there and it tells us what a task we have to bowl them out,'' he said.

Elworthy, who signed a contract with the South African Cricket Board this week which takes him up to the end of the World Cup next June, frankly admits that he never thought he would make a Test cricketer.

``They say 30 is a magical age and when I passed that I thought I would be struggling but it is lovely to be on this tour.''

Elworthy was called up almost at the outset when Roger Telemachus had to leave the party because of injury. If that was one stroke of fortune ``I had more good luck when Lance Klusener had to go home''.

He added: ``I feel very sorry for Lance but in this world one guy's downfall is another's opportunity.''

Elworthy departed from Lancashire in some dudgeon in 1996 after being left out of the team for the Benson and Hedges Cup final. His performance yesterday may have helped send a message to Old Trafford: ``I certainly hope they were watching me up there.''

For Mark Butcher disappointment at once again falling in the 70s in this series was balanced by the way he is forming a solid opening partnership with Michael Atherton.

``I think having a left-hand right-hand opening combination works well for England and Athers and I seem to have struck up a good rapport,'' he said. Butcher conceded that from England's point of view one or two wickets too many had gone down. ``It often happens after a big opening stand. Then we had two batsmen starting off together at virtually zero, which is something you strive against.

``That was a bit unfortunate but we are hoping to pass their score by some way because we wouldn't want to be chasing too many runs in the last innings.

``Still, you have got to believe England can still go on and win, hopefully by bowling them out again and then winning some kind of run chase on the final day.''