Selectors decision due to Strictly Come Dancing

Gough says TV show has cost him his place

Cricinfo staff

July 19, 2006

Darren Gough has taken a swipe at England's selectors, claiming that they have overlooked his claims for a place in the one-day squad because he missed last winter's tours.

Initially, Gough, 36, withdrew in order to spend more time with his family, but he subsequently appeared on - and won - the BBC's celebrity talent show Strictly Come Dancing.

"I never give up and I'm determined to get back in but the only reason I'm not selected was the fact I did Strictly Come Dancing," Gough told the BBC. "The reason I took the winter off was to spend some time with my children and it was the best winter I've had."

"A lot of people on commentary are saying, 'England's best bowler is playing for Essex.' It's up to me to keep performing and let people push for me to get back in."

But Gough admitted that unless the call comes for the end-of-summer ODIs against Pakistan, that will be it for him. "If I don't get a recall for the Pakistan series, I'm not going to get the recall ... but I can only put in my performances on the field."

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Players/Umpires

Darren Gough

Teams

England

Essex