The thousands of West Indies Test fans on the Island may have considered doing just that after the Trinidadian was excluded from the West Indies tour of South Africa in November.

But upon his arrival here for tomorrow's testimonial match at Lord's he made it clear that he intends to bounce make and challenge to regain his spot. And who can argue with a player who has fought back once from chronic back problems to play a role as one of the formidable West Indies' fast bowling arsenal.

Although some inconsistency cost him the trip to South Africa, his country's selectors, aware of his maturity and cricket knowledge, had enough faith in him to offer him the captaincy of the A team's tour of India later this year.

Perhaps a consolation of sort, but if it is, it's something that he intends to make use of.

"Obviously I was disappointed at not being selected for the tour of South Africa, but I don't have anybody else to blame,'' he told The Royal Gazette .

"I know that my game was not at the level that it should be at and obviously I don't have a given right to be able to play for the West Indies. So the selectors chose the squad that they thought was best and I have to stand in agreement with what has happened.

"I have been given the chance to go to India as captain of the A team to bring on some of the younger players and also to try and get myself back into the best shape. I believe I can do that. I believe I can get back in shape for the international level.'' With both Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh in their mid-30s and their Test days numbered, younger bowlers, along with Bishop, will be among those under scrutiny as a new pace combination is sought.

"I'm still just 30,'' said Bishop. "I feel that I have another couple of years left in me. I am going to give it all I can over the next year or so and trust in God everything will work out.

"Cricket is not all there is in life but I still enjoy doing it, I'm still enjoying playing. I still think I have ability in me and I want to see that potential come into reality before I end up giving up the game and moving on to something else.'' He is looking forward to working alongside coach Roger Harper, manager Joel Garner and the youngsters in the A team and believes he can lay to rest the tag of being injury prone for good.

Over the last couple of years he has felt no real problems with his back. "My physical status is very good,'' he said. "I have had a couple of back injuries: basically it's been the same injury that has recurred a couple of times. Apart from that my fitness record has been pretty good.

"Right now I feel good, I feel strong, I feel physically fit . I have been having a good season in England as far as working out and training IS concerned and I am thoroughly enjoying my cricket.'' Bishop has some interesting views on the Test scene, especially when it comes to evaluating the West Indies team and explaining why they no longer dominate like they once did in the 80s and early 90s.

He cites the departure of so many greats -- such as Garner, Holding, Marshall, Dujon and ultimately Richards -- over a relatively short period as initiating a transitional stage.

"All of these left in the early 90s and the team has been through a transition a bit longer than expected. A lot of guys didn't live up to their potential and we have lost a few Test matches. But the West Indies Cricket Board has put the right person in place in Brian Lara, he is the best captain at this point and time,'' he said.

"Lara is doing a good job. But one of the problems we are having is that our batting really needs to be more consistent. We have been dismissed for quite a few scores around 200. Very rarely have we gone above 300 or 400 runs in the last series.'' One area he feels that is improving is in spin bowling, with a number of specialists included during the England tour.

And he noted that there would be more making their entry onto the scene during the A team's tour of India, where turning pitches are more common than in the Caribbean.

Bishop also feels the move towards separate squads for the Test and one-day game has merit.

"I think it is good. You have to specialise if you have players who are good at one thing and not as good at the other,'' he said.

"Obviously you have players who are able to bridge the gap as well.

Naturally every player's dream or intention is to be good at them both, but sometimes we fall short in one way or the other and you just have to live with that.'' The Cricket Testimonial Committee teams for tomorrow's match at Lord's, starting at 11a.m.: Gladstone Brown's Select: Winston Reid, Albert Donawa, Ronnie Madeiros, Randall Woolridge, Melvin Roberts, James Swan, Barry Decouto, Oliver Bain, Frankie Bento, Winston Trott, Quinton Sherlock, Jeff Richards, Ken Pitcher Lionel Thomas's Select: Dennis Wainwright, Lee Raynor, Bernard Brangman, Arthur Pitcher, Gregory Foggo, Randy Butler, Stephen West, Gordon Campbell, Eldon Raynor, Clyde Best, Maxwell Curtis, Jeffrey Pitcher The six national squad players included for the purpose of giving them batting practice against the West Indies Test fast bowler Ian Bishop, who is the only guest player this year, are Kwame Tucker, Sammy Robinson, Irving Romaine, Keith Wainwright, Dennis Archer and David Greenidge AN BISHOP -- Arrived in Bermuda yesterday to take part in this weekend's Testimonial Match at Lord's