PERTH. Feb 1 England captain Michael Atherton on Wednesday sa Id newly-arrived batsman Mark

Ramprakash was a likely starter for the fifth Test agaf nst Australia In Perth starting on Friday, reports Reuter

England won the fourth mat^h of the series in Adelaide by 106 runs with only five recognised batsmen following injuries to Graeme Hick. Neil Fairbrother and Alec Stewart.

With that trio absent and Atherton keen to field a sixth top order specialist tt appears almost certain that Ramprakash. who only arrived from the A tour of India last Friday, will play In a match England must win to draw the aeries 2-2.

"We may change our think ing before the Test, but I would be reluctant to go Into the match without six special 1st bqtsrnen, Atherton said

"Moat modern Teat aides play six specialists at the top of the order as generally to win matches you have to get runs on the board.

And although Mark will be used to very different conditions coming from India, he Is a good player, he has had some practice In Adelaide, and he should be able to adapt Atherton added.

Ramprakah last played a Test In Antigua in April, and If he comes Into the side. England would probably omit either spinner Phil Tulfncll or all-rounder Chrlp Lewis

Normally. Tufnel would lie favourite to mlaa out as the WACA pitch Is expected to be fast, bouncy and helpful lo the quicker bowlers

But Alherton said: Although Phil didn't bowl particularly

well in Adelaide, on the trip he has done a decent stock bowl ing job for us."

Veteran opener Graham Gooch 41. will play his 118th and last Test, breaking David Gower's England appearance record, and Atherton was quick to praise his longtupe opening partner.

"Graham has been one of England's finest players, particularly In the latter stages of his career when he took on the captaincy " he said

Hie appearance record is testimony to both his record, which is phenomenal and to his fitness I hope he has a cracking match, he deserves It." Alherton added

Atherton said his side was looking forward to playing on the WACA pitch which Is expected to be the quickest of I lie tour

We have played our best cricket on that type of surface over the last few years Everyone Is happy wtth a bit of pace In the pitch and II should suit us. he said

Alherton added It now 3 question of his side trying to

maintain the momentum they built up in Adelaide when they secured their first Test win irf Australia since 1986

Wp must go out with a similar attitude and intent to the one we showed there, and show that to the opposition Atherton said

Wf will be going hell for leather as we did on Monday and hope we can carry that sort of form through." Atherton added

Australia, who have called up the Western Australian pace-bowling duo of Jo Angel and Brendon Julian in place of leg-spinner Peter Mclntryre and injured swing bowler Damien Fleming, must decide who to leave out.

Angel looks set to be the unlucky one with Julian, who played two Tests against England In 1993. likely to be the one chosen to bowl Into Perth's infamous wind /

Australia had originally intended to take the day off on Wednesday, but instead they practised alongside. England

"We didn t play aS well as we could In Adelaide so It was felt we needed a bit more work on our game." said Australia coach Bobby Simpson.

TFAMS

AUSTRALIA (from) Mark Taylor (captain) Michael Sia ter David Boon Mark Waugh. Stephen Waugh Greg Blewett Ian Healy. Shane Warne. Bren don Julian. Jo Angel Craig McDermott. Glenn McGrath

ENGLAND (from) Michael Atherton (captain). Graham Gooch. Mike Gattlng. Graham Th rope John Crawley. Mark Ramprakash Steven Rhodes. Chris'Lewis. Phillip DeFreitas. Angus Fraser. Devon Malcolm. Philip Tufnell.