FOR the umpteenth time, Kent pace bowler Martin Saggers will tune his radio to BBC 5 Live tomorrow to see if England’s cricket selectors have recognised his undoubted talent.

It is a routine the 31-year-old has grown accustomed to - listening with expectation, only to be let down or, in more recent times, stunned into silence by England’s Test selection policy.

Despite being the nation’s leading wicket-taker in 2002, claiming 200 wickets in the previous three seasons and bagging a further 48 victims to date this term, Saggers is sadly getting used to being overlooked.

"I have briefly spoken to David Graveney and Rod Marsh over the past couple of seasons, but nothing along the lines of whether I’m really close to being selected," said the former Durham swing bowler.

"I’ve heard through the grapevine that I’ve been close for the last 12 months, since Headingley last year in fact. I am told I am in their thoughts, but without knowing for sure whether I’m really that close to being called up.

"There have been times when it’s made my heart sink," he stressed.

* England will announce their squad to play South Africa at The Oval at 1.15pm tomorrow on Radio 5 Live.