Gough aims for first Ashes Test comeback

England strike bowler Darren Gough, who has not played in a Test for the past year because of injury, has set his sights on a return in the first Test against Australia next month.

Gough, 32, has endured a series of operations on an injured knee and has not been fit to take the field in a Test although he has played for the national one-day side.

The Yorkshire fast bowler, England's leading wicket taker with 228 victims, told BBC radio he hoped he would be ready for the first Ashes Test in Brisbane on November 7.

"From what I've been told it's not a case of me being fit from the start of the tour," he said. "It's a case of going out and doing the work. We'll see how it's going after two or three weeks.

"If I miss the first two Tests but am there for the rest of the winter then I'll be happy with that."

Mail Cricket Editor