The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Darren Gough slams critics

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Wednesday, Sep 08, 2004

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Sport - Cricket

Darren Gough slams critics

LONDON, SEPT. 7. Fast bowler Darren Gough has rounded on all those who queried whether he should still be playing top-flight cricket after becoming the first Englishman to take 200 one-day international wickets.

Gough, 34, a Yorkshire hero but now in his first season with Essex, became the 19th bowler in history on Sunday to reach the 200-mark when he had India's Harbhajan Singh caught by England captain Michael Vaughan.

Most experienced member

That match was Gough's 134th one-day international, making him easily the most experienced member of host England's attack in the forthcoming ICC Champions Trophy which starts later this week.

But when he retired from Test match cricket last year, having taken 229 wickets in 58 matches, because of persistent knee trouble, many believed his desire to keep playing one-day internationals was simply holding up the progress of younger England bowlers.

And they also questioned whether his fitness would allow him to fulfil his dream of playing at the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies.

Gough gave his detractors further ammunition by taking just six wickets in 10 one-day internationals this year before Sunday's match, a poor return for a new-ball bowler.

But the veteran quick has never lacked confidence in his own ability and, speaking ahead of England's Champions Trophy opener against Zimbabwe at Edgbaston on Friday, Gough insisted outsiders would have no say in when he retired.

Gough said ``I have heard people say this might be the natural end. It is not for the media to decide when I retire, it is my decision, the captain's decision, the selectors' decision."

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