ALEC Stewart emerged as the champion of the ageing sporting star yesterday by delivering a determined defence of his veteran contemporaries currently under pressure on either side of the world.

The 39-year-old England wicketkeeper has long insisted that age does not always have to signal the end and is preparing for his seventh Ashes series with an opening game against an ACB Chairman's XI at Lilac Hill tomorrow. The game will see Stewart make a nostalgic return to the place he regards as his "second home", having spent eight years playing grade cricket for Midland Guildford.

Yet, while he prepares for his final Ashes campaign and possibly his last year as a player, he is also happy to offer total support to those fellow senior professionals of his currently coming under criticism.

Just as England is focussing on the high-profile mistakes of Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman, Australia is equally obsessed with the futures of Steve and Mark Waugh.

"If a 31-year-old makes a mistake, he's not 31-year-old Joe Bloggs dropped a catch or let a goal in, but as soon as you seem to get over 35 and you do something wrong then the age thing comes in,'' claimed Stewart.

"You have to accept that because 39, as I am, or 37 as the Waugh brothers are now, is probably above the average age that people normally play cricket. You know you have to perform, but that is the same whether you are 39 or 22.

"David Seaman has copped a bit of flak, but he's been a fantastic performer for England for years.

"A 39-year-old has made a mistake so it's been highlighted.

"People say because of his age his feet don't move as well and things like that, but if he had made the same error ten years ago it would just have been a mistake.''

Stewart knows it would be foolish to discard the Waugh twins, both of whom have struggled recently until Steve claimed a timely century yesterday in the final Test against Pakistan in Sharjah.

"It seems the fashionable thing at the moment to question the Waughs' ability,'' said Stewart. "To me they've been two fantastic cricketers and I'll be amazed if they don't both turn up at the first Test in Brisbane.''

Stewart is expected to take his place in a line-up ravaged by injuries for the opening match tomorrow, with Darren Gough ruled out with knee trouble and all-rounder Andrew Flintoff still not ready after a recent hernia operation.

The former England captain could even play as a specialist batsman and allow Foster what is likely to be a rare opportunity during the tour behind the stumps, particularly as Michael Vaughan is also unlikely to feature while he continues his rehabilitation from knee surgery.

Glamorgan fast bowler Simon Jones is also doubtful, having not fully recovered from a side strain.

Glenn McGrath today joined an elite group of bowlers when he claimed his 400th career Test wicket.

The Australian paceman dismissed Pakistan captain Waqar Younis in the third Test at Sharjah to become only the eighth bowler to reach the milestone. The 32-year-old, will overtake West Indies legend Curtly Ambrose with another six scalps.

Pakistan started the day 163-6 in reply to Australia's first innings score of 444, helped by an unbeaten 103 from skipper Steve Waugh - his 28th Test century.

Hampshire skipper Shane Warne finished with 5-74, taking his series tally to 24 victims, as the hosts were dismissed for 221, McGrath bagging 4-41.