Alec Stewart will end his illustrious Test career later this week with one last ironic gesture by putting England's fortunes ahead of the same personal agenda which critics claim has motivated him during the latter stages of his international career.

Stewart will make his 133rd and last Test appearance for England against South Africa at the Oval, his spiritual home ever since he followed father Micky's footsteps and became an established player for Surrey, knowing his final game is likely to be dominated by tributes and ovations in recognition of his outstanding career.

It is that emotional farewell which some critics believe has been the prime source of motivation for him in his final season, one during which there have been constant demands for the inclusion of a younger wicketkeeper and allegations that Stewart has been playing for himself and not the team during the current series.

For a player who has spent the majority of his international career sacrificing his favoured opening role to bat down the order so he could juggle the twin demands of being a top order batsman and wicketkeeper to balance the side, it has been a strong accusation which has hurt a fiercely-proud man.

But in anticipation of what will almost certainly be an emotional ovation from a sell-out Oval crowd, who have given rousing receptions to Courtney Walsh, Curtly Ambrose and Michael Atherton on their farewell Test appearances in recent years, Stewart has put his own interests to one side and insisted England's fortunes must be a priority.

Trailing 2-1 in the series following the disappointing display at Headingley in the fourth Test, England must win if they are avoid a damaging home defeat by a South African side every bit as inexperienced as their hosts have become this summer.

It is that objective which, Stewart insists, will be the motivating factor for him when he takes the field this Thursday and only after the Test has reached its conclusion will he sit down and try and take in every moment of his last international match.

''I've always had good support both for Surrey and England and the fans at the Oval have been very kind to me,'' he admitted.

''But the important thing, without sounding too blase about it, is that we win well and make up for a poor defeat at Headingley and square the series.

''After that I can sit down in the dressing room when it is all over and look back on what has been a very good career.''

His attitude to his swansong has mirrored his approach to the many milestones he has reached and broken since making his England debut in Jamaica against the great West Indies side back in 1990.

As each milestone has been passed, most recently overtaking Geoff Boycott and David Gower to become England's second highest Test run-scorer, he has always claimed that honours and achievements were to be reflected upon after his playing career and not while he was still active.

The recent award of an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours' List, which followed his MBE six years previously, was accepted proudly, but quietly by a man who keeps all things English very close to his heart from the Royal Family to the England football team and his beloved Chelsea.

Immaculate in his presentation and preparation, the 40-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman is the ideal of a model professional in every aspect of his career both on and off the pitch and approaches all parts of his career with enthusiasm and dedication.

Just a year ago he was dismissed as a relic of the past after James Foster appeared to establish himself as England's number one wicketkeeper during the tours to India and New Zealand only for the Essex youngster to injure himself and allow Stewart a route back into the side.

Even this summer people have been advocating a change behind the stumps against Zimbabwe, but Stewart was one of the most consistent performers within the England team during the one-sided series.

Then there are the other significant achievements during his long career, which include becoming the first England player to score a century in both innings of a Test against West Indies, becoming the leading Test run-scorer in the 1990s and guiding England to a famous series triumph over South Africa as captain five years ago.

He has also made more appearances than any other England player at both Test and one-day level, indicating an ability which has stood the test of time since making his international debut 13 years ago.

''All I've ever said about the future is that while the enjoyment is there and I feel I'm playing well enough to warrant a place in the side, I see no reason to give it away myself,'' he said recently.

''I feel exactly the same as I did 20 years ago.

"I have the same buzz and pre-match nerves I've always had and that's a good thing because that shows you're still up for the game.'