Axe falls on Stewart and Gough

Stewart may have taken his last walk from a Test wicket

Alec Stewart and Darren Gough have been omitted from the Test squads for this winter's tours of India and New Zealand.

The two veterans made themselves unavailable for the first trip to India, but have now been excluded from both 16-man touring parties.

Tuesday's decision raises questions about their future Test careers, with Stewart, who is 38, considered especially vulnerable.

Chairman of selectors David Graveney had made it clear that he would not allow players to pick and choose tours because it would set a dangerous precedent.

Stumped: Gough will have to earn a recall

And he added on Tuesday: "The retirement of Michael Atherton, and Alec Stewart's and Darren Gough's decision to make themselves unavailable for selection for part of the winter programme will create opportunities for other players to establish themselves within the Test side this winter."

Former England captain Mike Gatting backs Gough to win back a place in the England side, but Alec Stewart's prospects of recovery are less good.

"He [Gough] will have to come back and take some wickets and say 'I'm still a Test bowler and I want to play for England'," Gatting told BBC Radio Five Live.

But he said of Stewart, who is entering the twilight of his career: "He cannot be picking and choosing at this age."

Criticism

The decisions of Gough and Stewart not to tour India have drawn some criticism, as the players are among those on central contracts with the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Those contracts expired on Monday, leaving them free to turn their backs on England, even though their county commitments have been restricted - as compensation - during the summer.

The decisions we made were heart-wrenching, but we were looking at the bigger picture

David Graveney
Chairman of selectors

Graveney is keen to introduce 12-month contracts, which would effectively stop players from opting out of certain tours.

"It is an issue we are discussing with the ECB," he said.

"That is the direction everyone wants to go with. We would like to be able to offer 25 contracts like Australia, but there are reasons why it can't happen."

And he said of Stewart and Gough's omissions: "The decisions we made were heart-wrenching. But we were looking at the bigger picture.

"They have taken the decision well."