Graveney said earlier in the summer that he had to demonstrate his fitness over a decent period and while there may still be some

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Graveney said earlier in the summer that he had to demonstrate his fitness over a decent period and while there may still be some doubt that he has done this, the chairman said last week that he had played three Championship matches and four one-day contests as though that fitted perfectly what he had in mind.Needs must, he might have added. But if he goes now it will be for good and the sacrifice will have been made on the altar of his colleagues' failures.Atherton would be a logical choice to come in, a proven performer. As it has turned out, Habib has looked ill-suited to the demands, as at home as if he were 20,000 leagues under the sea without oxygen. The batsman most at risk is the most inexperienced, Aftab Habib.His summons for the First Test was something of a surprise but the panel went for him, narrowly ahead of his county colleagues, Maddy and Ben Smith, because his was the name which most often emerged during their canvassing and because they had an instinct about his class. This leaves a place at number three and that vacancy may save at least one of the others. Although the captain will be named in the squad they will probably make their selection with the thought that he will not be sufficiently fit to play.

Many will have been brushed off quickly.Their conversations will have been slightly complicated by the state of Nasser Hussain's finger. Batting like England's does not need the media to round up a lynch mob.Throughout yesterday, Graveney and his team will have been casting around, trying to discover if there were adequate replacements. All manner of names will have come, albeit fleetingly, into their embrace. The list is long: Michael Atherton, Robin Smith, Chris Adams, Steve James, Matthew Maynard, Ben Smith, Darren Maddy, Graeme Hick, Gavin Hamilton and even David Sales.

The theory has not quite been sustained by the practice considering that more than 30 players have been used during his tenure but the principle remains in place. Graveney also feels that the present mood against the team has at least partly been whipped up by the media Partly, it has But only partly. When David Graveney assumed the chair it was clear that he favoured continuity. For too long England have not made a competitive total batting first (Lord's was the sixth consecutive time they have failed to make 300) and their shot selection as they tried to catch up second time was woeful. Had they been stockbrokers advising on a portfolio of shares, bankruptcy would have been guaranteed.The selectors can feel with some justification that their loyalty has not been repaid.