Former England batsman Allan Lamb says it's probably true that his country now has the worst team in Test cricket -- but they should not be counted out for the series against South Africa which starts today.

Lamb was one one of several big sporting names from overseas playing in the Britsh Airways Celebrity Golf Tournament at Riddell's Bay Golf and Country Club yesterday.

The South African born former top order batsman, who now runs his own event management business in Northamptonshire, England, still takes a close interest in cricket.

Asked whether the rankings system which put England bottom of the heap gave an accurate impression, Lamb replied: "Yes, that's probably right. But at least now there is only one way we can go, up, and things can't get worse.

"We have got to be more competitive. Our problem is that our county cricket is too soft.

"There are too many county players in England and we need to cut down playing staffs. Eighty percent of those players will never play for England and that's just not good enough. We need players to come through a league system and we need to make it more difficult to become a professional.'' England start off their five-Test series in South Africa today at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, coming off a dismal 2-1 home series defeat by New Zealand this summer. But Lamb believed the South Africans, who thrashed the West Indies 5-0 in 1998-99, were far from invincible.

"Obviously, South Africa will start favourites, but Allan Donald has not been firing on all cylinders lately and Kallis has injury problems,'' said Lamb.

"Also they have only made Hansie Cronje captain for two Test matches. That is a wrong move because it shows there are a few problems in the South African camp.

"I think our bowling attack can match theirs, with Gough, Caddick and Mullally, but it's a matter of us getting runs on the board.'' Lamb played 79 Tests for England and scored 4,656 runs at an average of 36.09.

He enjoyed a successful career in English county cricket too, helping Northamptonshire to the most successful spell in their history and was named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1981.

But the 44-year-old had no immediate ambitions to get involved with the England set-up in a coaching or managerial role and feared his outspoken nature would not find favour with those running the game.

"If I was to be called up, I might like to get back involved in it,'' said Lamb. "But I have always been outspoken and we have a board which does not like that. They don't like people telling the truth.'' Lamb was enjoying his first visit to the Island and described the scenery around Riddell's Bay as "fantastic and a bit like paradise''.

He added: "These dark 'n stormies are quite strong and after one or two, my game started to go off, after about the 14th hole.'' Playing in the same foursome as Lamb in yesterday's charity event was the former Australian rugby union star Michael Lynagh, relaxing after a busy period covering the Rugby World Cup in Europe for The Times newspaper and a British TV network.

Lynagh, a World Cup winner himself in 1991, had naturally been delighted about the outcome, as Australia became the first country to win the Webb Ellis Trophy twice. But although he felt his country had deserved their triumph, he thought they had been far from convincing.

"I don't think Australia played as well as they can,'' said Lynagh. "Their defence won it for them, but they never put it together for a full 80 minutes as we all hoped they would.'' Lynagh also believed the entertainment value of the tournament had been disappointing.

"It's a bit difficult for me to say, because this was the first World Cup I haven't played in, but I think everybody was a bit disappointed.

"It built up and at times got exciting, but then it tended to lose momentum.

I understand why they planned it that way, so everybody had the same amount of rest time. But they did have four years to organise it and it could have been better.'' Lynagh amassed a world record 911 points in 72 Tests at outside half for Australia, before retiring from the international game in 1995 and from his London club Saracens in May last year.

The 35-year-old hinted he might be interested in returning to the Island if Australia are invited to next year's World Rugby Classic.

"I might come over here and play next year. Rugby was such a big part of my life for such a long time, but I'm just enjoying having a different perspective on the game now,'' he added.

Clubbing together: Former England batsman Allan Lamb (left) and ex-Australia rugby union captain Michael Lynagh enjoy a break in the sun at Riddell's Bay yesterday.

CRICKET CRI RUGBY RUG