Lewis began the summer as the front runner of "four or five" uncontracted English seamers coach Duncan Fletcher believes are capable of making the highest grade.

And there is certainly at least one vacancy with James Anderson requiring time away from the international scene and confidence in Simon Jones patently low among the England hierarchy.

In Lewis' favour is consistent success in the first-class game and plenty of big-match experience in a Gloucestershire team accustomed to winning.

Against that is a lack of pace which some fear will be exposed at the highest level and the feeling that, given that his 30th birthday passes this summer, this represents his first and last chance of making an impact.

The man himself is unconcerned: "Fast bowlers do tend to peak between 28 and 32."

Indeed they do but critics would point out they usually have substantial international experience under their belts by that time while the downright cruel might take issue with Lewis describing himself as a "fast" bowler.

As has been proven many times, there is a world of difference between an admirable county career and a memorable Test one.

Lewis has pointed to the success of Glenn McGrath in overcoming a lack of pace with unstinting accuracy.

But McGrathesque accuracy has been achieved only by one man in the modern era.

In contrast, the exposure of respected county plodders has been a sorry tale recounted many times under names such as Martin Saggers, James Kirtley and Jimmy Ormond.

Only time will tell which group Lewis belongs to but neither recent history nor the long-term future is on his side.