Darren Gough has insisted that he is on course to face Australia, and rejected comments he reportedly made last week that he might not play until the third Test of the series. "The plan was that my fitness would be adjudged around the time of the first Test but I am ahead of schedule," Gough told reporters at a Heathrow hotel as England prepared to leave for Australia. He has had three knee operations in seven months, and has not played Test cricket for over a year.

"I am 32, I am not 21, and you don't forget how to bowl, even though I keep reading that I have not bowled for a year. It's like riding a bike. I am not scared, I have no fear. I have been around for 20 years and once I start again, it might take a week, but I know I have nothing to worry about."

Gough maintained that his earlier comments about a delayed return had been misunderstood. "The plan was that my fitness would be adjudged around the time of the first Test but I am ahead of schedule. I was not supposed to bowl until I was out there, but I have been for the last week and a half off short run-ups.

"We have three weeks until the opening Test when I hope I will be either available or playing. I love cricket. I am just pleased to have this opportunity to give it my best shot and I am confident it will go well."

Gough's bullish attitude might reflect his confidence that his rehabilitation is going well, or they might owe more to the realisation that his original remarks had hardly endeared him to the England management. Only time will tell.

Asked if he minded being England's third quickest bowler behind the likes of Simon Jones and Stephen Harmison, Gough said: "No, because I'm the best. I've never been one to be jealous of my team-mates. I want them to do well. Even if I'm not playing, I want them to do well for England."

Gough, who has been recuperating at the National Sports Centre of Excellence at Lilleshall, said that the training regime he had undergone there had transformed his mood. "If you asked me three weeks ago if I'd have been fit I'd have said no. But I am a lot better now than I was then."

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