How England revival started with a catch

But it is equally fair to suggest that defeat at Lord's last summer would have made their task considerably tougher.

Suddenly the whole England party believed anything was possible - and they've continued to remind themselves what was achieved, against huge odds, on 30 June whenever danger has threatened. The West Indies were blown away 3-1.

Then, in Pakistan, Hussain & Co fought every inch of the way to stay level with their hosts before nipping past them, almost under the cloak of darkness, at Karachi.

But it was on the tour of Sri Lanka earlier this year that England had to dig even deeper. Thumped in the First Test at Galle, albeit with the help of some incompetent umpiring, they came back to win in Kandy and Colombo.

And now, on their return to Lord's, how fitting that Gough and Caddick should combine again to cut down Pakistan.

These two fast bowlers, with their contrasting styles and chalk and cheese personalities, have had bags of help from team-mates over the past 11 months. But between them they give England what every team needs - a perfect partnership capable of knocking over the top order, undermining a mid-innings recovery and scything through the tail.

In 12 Tests since the start of the West Indies series, Gough has captured 57 wickets and Caddick 42.

Gough, shorter and quicker, deservedly collected an award for England's player of the year shortly before battle resumed at Lord's last week. The 30-year-old Yorkshireman managed to pick up 24 wickets to his partner's 12 on the often heartbreakingly unhelpful pitches of Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

But Caddick, taller and quieter and two years older than the almost always effervescent Gough, kept going in honest support when success would not come his way. And now, back on the livelier surfaces over here, he is once again reaping the rewards for making the ball, both new and old, lift and seam in a manner which alarms even the best batsmen.

England have already been beset by injuries this season.

Spinner Ashley Giles hasn't bowled a ball in anger yet because of a stubborn heel problem; all-rounder Craig White is struggling with a back injury; and Hussain's broken thumb may not be fully healed until just before the Ashes series starts in early July. But somehow, even if it means wrapping them up in cotton wool, England must keep Gough and Caddick on the field against Pakistan at Old Trafford next week - and then against Australia.

"We are a good side now," said Gough, who, less than two years ago, feared that his Test career would contain more lows than highs.

England were always capable of producing the occasional stunning performance, only to follow one step forward with several in the wrong direction. "Now we have experience and are getting into the habit of winning," he added.

"But we have to keep it going. "It's like Manchester United. They believe they are going to win every game and you need that sort of belief.

"We'll have to put in great team performances against Australia because they are still the best. But if we can compete like we have done over the last year then they'll have a fight on their hands."

It was the sight of a ball in Gough's hands 11 months ago that gave England a feeling of hope.

Now the nation not only hopes for some more success, it is starting to believe that Gough could have his mitts around the Ashes urn by the end of this summer.