"This was as disgraceful a performance by a Test team as I have ever seen," he said.Sir Garfield Sobers, the greatest player West Indies have ever produced, was equally curt. Humiliated inside three days by South Africa in the second Test in Port Elizabeth, West Indies are already 2-0 down in the five-match series and reaping the wrath of their countrymen at home. I still have to check whether my grandparents really were English I have to give the whole matter a lot of thought It is a moral decision. I am South African, but the fact is I don't intend going back there in the foreseeable future.".

CRACKS HAVE been evident in the make-up of West Indies cricket for sometime Last weekend they became gaping canyons. Once we started going down the Stransky road we would easily find the English national team filled with older players who have finished Test careers in their own country and served the necessary qualification."Stransky said: "Until I became aware of the regulations I had some faint glimmer of hope that I might be recalled by South Africa But in reality they are not going to pick me. He qualified through parents and above all had not been capped by South Africa."We have more rugby players than any other country in the world and if we can't find stand-offs - or any other positions - with our own qualified players in the normal way then it will be a bad day for our game. There might actually come a time when there are no English stand-offs playing in the Premiership and then my hand might be forced, but I prefer to pick only English-qualified players who have not appeared for another country You can't compare Joel's case with Mike Catt Mike was not a pro rugby player when he came here.

If I had to, it would be a very sad day for English rugby.

05/11 - 09/11 Attain Texas Rangers Tickets staging in Citizens Bank Park, Comerica Park. Texas Rangers is staging in Philadelphia, Detroit and Boston. Texas Rangers tickets

08/11 - 09/11 Access Santana Tickets staging in State Farm Arena, The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. Santana is staging in Hidalgo, Spring and Auburn. Santana tickets

05/11 - 06/11 Pick up Oklahoma City Thunder Tickets performing in American Airlines Center, 1. Oklahoma City Thunder is performing in Dallas, Tampa and Baltimore. Oklahoma City Thunder tickets

"But I would never say never to anything. Stransky, who landed the historic drop-kick to win the World Cup for South Africa in 1995, last played a Test the following August He qualifies through his grandparents. However, the Leicester stand-off looks set to be disappointed. England coach Woodward said: "If I was asked whether I would choose him for World Cup 1999, the answer is basically no. I would have to be very desperate to do so and I would chose him only with the greatest reluctance and with huge reservations. "He was an inspired choice when we signed him up four years ago and we look forward to him realising all his ambitions."Among Westwood's targets for 1999 is Woods' world No 1 spot - and he would like to thank the 22-year-old Californian for already helping him into the top 10."Tiger's arrival on the scene a couple of years ago gave me a kick up the backside I knew we had to work hard otherwise he'd get away from us. I don't think I'm quite at his level yet, but all the time I'm learning and maturing..

CLIVE WOODWARD looks to have snubbed moves by South African Joel Stransky to make himself available for England - he becomes eligible from next September three years after his Springbok career ended. It could well be worth seven figures if Westwood starts winning majors. "His fearless determination and charming personality have been the perfect attributes for us," said Kimpton. Without revealing figures, the chief executive, Robert Kimpton, said the contract was the biggest in the company's history. "I think there's room for it and I don't think it would devalue the Ryder Cup," he said.

"It's always nice to test yourself against the best and we don't have much match play."Westwood has signed a three-year deal with clothing company Lyle and Scott. Now Westwood would like to see Europe take on Greg Norman, Ernie Els and company. There'll be thousands of Irish there for a start." Never previously beaten by the International side - the Rest of the World minus Europe - the Americans were demolished 201/2-111/2 in Melbourne. There's nothing to compare with the Ryder Cup and I can't imagine what it will be like in Boston. Westwood, receiving Europe's Golfer of the Year award, believes America's crushing Presidents Cup defeat in Australia this weekend will make them twice as determined to win back the Ryder Cup. "I'm already looking forward to it immensely," said the 25-year-old from Worksop, celebrating a season during which he won seven times and picked up prize-money in excess of pounds 1.6m "They are going to be keen to stick it to us They got a bit of a trouncing. LEE WESTWOOD yesterday said he expects to see Tiger Woods breathing fire at next September's Ryder Cup.