(HOBART) Alex Tudor claims England will see a far stronger version of himself, both physically and mentally, if he wins the battle with the other seamers for the fast bowling vacancy in the next Test against Australia.

Tudor faces competition from Steve Harmison and Chris Silverwood, who joined up with the squad in Hobart today, during this week's match against Australia 'A' to decide who will replace the injured Simon Jones in the second Test at Adelaide starting on November 21.

Each bowler has different attributes and England will look closely at all three before deciding which one is best suited to the Adelaide Oval surface, and will give them the best chance to bounce back from their first Test mauling at The Gabba.

Harmison has pace but is also inexperienced, Silverwood is also fast but is probably more accurate while Tudor has his admirers but many say he lacks stamina and claim that is underlined by his poor injury record.

But after a second spell at the Academy under the supervision of Rod Marsh, Tudor believes he has become stronger both mentally and physically - and now he has been named as Darren Gough's replacement in the squad, he is ready to take on the challenge of an Ashes series.

''I've been working on my action a little and the basic fitness work we have done has been good because I feel a lot fitter now,'' explained Tudor, who claimed four wickets on his Test debut at Perth four years ago.

''We had four weights sessions a week and if you don't improve with that sort of schedule then you're struggling and I was happy with the way I went about my training.

''It's a tough regime at the Academy, but it's good and makes you a strong person mentally and I think in the last three weeks I've matured as a person by the experience.''

Tudor's nine-Test career, though, has been plagued by accusations he lacks the stamina to succeed at the highest level and he is keen to disprove those claims by the force of his performances over the next two months.

''During the season I only missed two weeks because of my shins,'' he insisted.

''I bowled my overs for Surrey and for England so I don't know where this stuff about me not having any stamina came from - anyone can improve on their fitness and I'm no different, but at times it's difficult to take criticism like that.''

At least Tudor has the advantage of knowing exactly what to expect from an Ashes Test - something neither of his rivals can boast.

He played two Tests against Australia here four years ago and a further two last year when the Aussies claimed a 4-1 series success.

And Tudor is a great admirer of the way Australia play their cricket.

''They are saying they are the best side in the world, but I think they could be the best side ever assembled in cricket history,'' added Tudor.

''At times you just have to accept they are that good and it's up to us to try and stay with them, which is not easy.

''If you give them a sniff then you've got no chance. If you're down in any areas of your game they are going to find it out - you have to make sure that all the aspects of your game are covered to give yourself a chance against them.''

While Tudor dreams of an Ashes recall, all-rounder Andrew Flintoff travelled to Tasmania today with England still not sure of his participation in this week's match as he struggles to regain fitness after a hernia operation.

The Lancashire vice-captain had surgery last August, missing the final Test against India at The Oval, to ensure he would be fit for the start of the Ashes series but with only 10 days before the second Test starts in Adelaide his fitness is still an issue.

He was sent for a scan yesterday after complaining of discomfort in his back while featuring as a substitute fielder for Jones during the Test and although he has been given the all-clear, the tourists' management are no more than hopeful that he will be able to feature in Friday's match.

England claim they are ''optimistic'' about Flintoff's participation and have hired a pilates teacher, which they also did in South Africa two years ago, to work alongside him to try and speed up his recovery for this Friday's three-day match.

But should Flintoff fail to recover in time for this week's match, it would put his participation in the remainder of the series in doubt because it leads into an intense programme of international matches.

As soon as England finish in Hobart, they travel onto Adelaide where they will play the first of two back-to-back Tests there and in Perth.

The first half of the triangular one-day tournament involving Australia and Sri Lanka then follows, before the back-to-back Christmas and New Year Tests in Melbourne and Sydney complete the Ashes series.

Photo: Colin Spiro

12 Nov, 2002