WORCESTERSHIRE'S Steve Rhodes is again proving that age is no barrier when you're part of the wicketkeepers' union.

The popular stumper, who celebrates his 38th birthday a week today, is as sharp as ever and even more determined to keep in his place in cricket's top flight.

And why shouldn't he? After all, there's already two classic examples of long-serving wicketkeepers who are continuing to hit the heights.

Alec Stewart, at 39, is still behind the stumps for England while Jack Russell, who will be 39 in August, has recently signed an extension to his Gloucestershire contract by an additional year to the end of the 2004 season.

"We expect the next three years to be the most fruitful of Jack's domestic career," said Gloucestershire's Director of Cricket John Bracewell.

And it's that kind of talk that is music to the ears for the likes of former England wicketkeeper Rhodes, who made his Worcestershire debut back in 1985.

He said: "Everybody talks about my age, but when you see Alec Stewart still playing for England and Jack Russell signing a new contract I don't know what people are on about.

"I feel good, there's no problem and my forms okay. I'm pleased and hopefully I'll prove to people that I can keep going.

"It is interesting that people tend to call the age card, but there are two good examples there in Stewart and Russell."

With the County squad having a far greater depth this season, loyal Rhodes has, at times, batted lower down the order at number nine - but that's no problem for the gritty Yorkshireman.

He said: "One way of looking at it is 'oh, you are a number nine now', but the other way to look at it is what more can I still do to help the team.

"If I'm a problem to shift when I come down the order, or I'm still batting with one of the recognised batters, then great.

"I see my role as one to probably nurse the last two through and help the likes of Kabir Ali at the crease. And also get as many runs as I physically can.

"Somebody has got to do the job and you can go either go home with your tail between your legs or you can roll your sleeves up and say 'okay then, if somebody's got to do it then I will'.

And certainly when it's comes to matches in the Frizzell County Championship Division Two so far this season, Rhodes has regularly made it difficult for the opposition to shift him.

In eight innings he has been not out on three occasions and reached the thirties four times.

Indeed, it's those kind of valuable lower order knocks that could well prove to be vital in Worcestershire's bid to achieve their main priority this season - promotion.

Certainly the opportunity to help the County get into the First Division is very much on Rhodes' mind in whatever position in the order he goes out to bat.

He said: "There's a chance of us doing it without a doubt. We are learning all the time, but I think the type of depth we have got in the squad is going to hold us in good stead for a promotion challenge. It' certainly one of our goals and I can see us achieving it.

"The side is well balanced for either one-day or four-day cricket. I think what we have got now are guys who can perform just as well in both.

"To have depth in your batting is crucial and we have certainly got options with the ball. Even if we find a very spinning wicket we can easily maybe let go one of the batters even, like we did at Northampton.

"If there are a lot of guys champing at the bit to get in the side then those who are holding their position have just got to keep a look-out.

"It's got to breed success because everybody is kept on their toes and that's got to be a good thing."

After their recent one-day exploits Rhodes and Co. are now preparing to return to Championship action with a match against Durham, starting at the Riverside on Wednesday.

They will remain at the Riverside on Sunday for a National League game.