LONDON, Apr 30 (AFP/ Internet): When Graeme Hick first headed for the England changing rooms almost a decade ago, little did he realise he was about to step into a revolving door which is still spinning today.

On May 14. however. Hick looks certain to line up against Sri Lanka in the opening game of the 1999 World Cup. Barring another selectorial rethink.

To a degree, he has been the author of his own fate.

For years, as an emerging county player, he had terrorised bowlers with nonchalance bordering on disdain.' In 1988. playing for Worcestershire against Somerset, he bludgeoned Somerset's attack for 405 runs. West countrymen still wince at the memory.

The selectors could not wait for the powerful Zimbabwean right-hander to qualify for England.

When he did. however, he was quickly exposed. Hick, it became clear, when probed by

genuine pace, had the footwork of a hippopotamus- Worse still, his self-confidence proved as robust as cracked glass.

He was duly dropped, returned to Worcester, scored runs, was re-selected, re-exposed and dropped again. Hick's dizzy dance has been continuing ever since.

Often he did as well - or as badly - as his teammates, only to be dropped first because expectations of him were so high.

Indeed, his very count)’ success became the target for derision. Hick became known as a "flat-track bully", a hero with feet of clay who could not translate his talents into success among the big boys or when it mattered. Uis commitment to his adopted country was also questioned.

The debate goes on. even though Hick is currently being lauded as one of England's few potential match-winners during the World Cup.

Last season saw more of the same. In May, he celebrated his hundredth first-class hundred -only Sir Donald Bradman and Denis Compton had reached the

landmark more quickly - on the same day that he was left out of the team to play South Africa.

Later recalled after a two-year exile, he failed only to be retained for the ensuing one-day tournament. He impressed against Sri Lanka and South Africa, then scored 107 against Arjuna Ranatunga's side in a one-off Test. When the Ashes squad was announced, however. Hick missed out again only to be called up as a replacement.

He finally cemented his World Cup place by punching out three one-day centuries in four innings against Australia and Sri Lanka at the start of the

Hick, a fine close fielder and a useful if occasional off-spin-ner. argues his much-publicised failings are behind him.

"The mental side of it ... I find much easier to handle now." he says. "I've got confidence now." His footwork, he says, has also improved.

This will be his third World Cup for his adopted country. England expects. So do the selectors. Again.