JOHN Crawley has only to think back a year if he needs any reminding that nothing should be taken for granted in international cricket.

The Lancashire batsman's hopes of playing in next week's first Test may have receded a little following his non-selection for tomorrow's match against South Africa A.

But, as recent history proves, England are not beyond changing course at the last moment.

Twelve months ago, Crawley was chosen for the game against Australia A in Hobart while an out-of-form Mike Gatting watched from the sidelines. And yet it was Gatting, not Crawley, who played in the first Test just a few days later.

This time, Crawley has an even better claim after putting together fiercely determined innings of 85 and 108 during the early stages of England's tour.

He may miss out again - but Robin Smith and, to a lesser extent, Graham Thorpe and Mark Ramprakash must prove over the next four days they are going to be safer bets against Allan Donald and Co. There is not much more Crawley could have done. He has lost a stone in weight, made himself fitter than ever before, tightened up his technique and sold his wicket dearly in South Africa.

It ought to be enough - and it almost certainly will be if Smith fails to significantly improve on a sequence of scores reading: four, nought and nought.

Ramprakash needs one more solid contribution to guarantee himself the No 3 spot after making 70 in his solitary first-class outing of the tour. And Thorpe has some ground to make up following last week's unavoidable trip home to check on the health of his wife.

Ray Illingworth certainly does not discount Crawley at this stage. "John has done very well and we'll make sure he stays in good nick with plenty of net practice," says England's manager. "He's played in three of the four games so far - we're just trying to be fair to everyone."

In fact, England are bending over backwards to accommodate Smith, who has appeared in every match to date.

If their most senior batsman comes good against South Africa A it will be fully justified because, on form, there is no better player of fast bowling - and the tourists are going to face plenty of that when Test battle begins next week.

Should Smith miss out again here, however, Illingworth and captain Mike Atherton will probably wish they had allowed Crawley to sample life on what promises to be the liveliest pitch encountered so far. Of the others to be rested in Kimberley, Dominic Cork is a first Test certainty while spinner Richard Illingworth ought to play next week if England are able to field a balanced attack.

The next four days, however, are likely to centre around the form and fortunes of Smith and fast bowler Devon Malcolm.

A hard practice pitch brought the best out of Malcolm yesterday, prompting manager Illingworth to say: "If he keeps bowling like that I'll be happy." England (from): M A Atherton (Capt), A J Stewart, M R Ramprakash, G P Thorpe, G A Hick, R A Smith, R C Russell (Wkpr), M Watkinson, D Gough, A R C Fraser, D E Malcolm, M C Ilott.

South Africa A: J B Commins (Boland, Capt), G F J Liebenberg (Orange Free State), P J R Steyn (Orange Free State), J H Kallis (Western Province), L J Wilkinson (Orange Free State), L Klusener (Natal), S J Palframan (Border, Wkpr), R Telemachus (Boland), N Boje (Orange Free State), P Adams (Western Province), S D Jack (Transvaal).

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