Dazzler Darren is shining light

Some members of Michael Vaughan's squad may be showing signs of wear and tear as England's tour of South Africa rolls on. But Darren Gough has started the one-day series with a real spring in his step.

At 34, Gough could be sat back in a chair right now, talking about the game and bemoaning the careerthreatening knee injury that forced him to quit Test cricket in 2003.

Instead, he seems restored to his bubbly best on the field and has produced three top quality performances to launch England's one-day programme in South Africa.

Gough bowled beautifully against the hosts' second string in Kimberley last week, then hit the same high standard in Johannesburg on Sunday as Michael Vaughan's men won the first of seven limited-overs internationals.

As for two nights ago in Bloemfontein, he produced a magnificent inswinging yorker to bowl Justin Kemp at a crucial stage, held a smart catch to seal Herschelle Gibbs' downfall and generally threw himself around the field. Gough's dynamic displays have been lost on no-one, least of all Vaughan who watched Wednesday night's thrilling tie from the dressing room after being laid low by a virus.

"He seems to have so much energy for quite an old buggar," joked the captain ahead of today's third match at St George's Park. He's like the Darren Gough of when I came into the England team five years ago.