CHRIS ADAMS has turned to opener Mike Atherton for advice on how to suceed at the highest level.

The Sussex skipper spent time with Atherton after net practise yesterday as England prepared for the fifth Test at Centurion Park which starts tomorrow.

But Adams is not about to adopt Atherton's dogged persona when he gets to the crease, even though his place is thought to be under threat.

He says he is still prepared to be positive and go for his shots and back himself in the belief that he is good enough to thrive at the highest level.

"Temperament-wise I really feel I have got what it takes at this level," he said.

In seven innings Adams has scored 103 runs at a modest average of 14.71 with his 31 in the fourth Test his best effort to date.

Adams said: "Not once on this tour have I felt that the step-up was too much for me. My scores have not been very impressive but I have felt comfortable out in the middle and I've been getting myself out."

The pair worked for nearly an hour trying to iron out the technical deficencies Adams believes are preventing him from establishing himself.

"Mike told me you have to groove a technique that works for you which is something he has done.

"Little things he said made a lot of sense, for instance it doesn't matter what speed the ball travels over the ropes at it is still only four runs, but of course I love to see it rocketing over the boundary!

"The times I've got out have been through failings in my own technique. I haven't been able to execute the shot how I would have liked and that's something I will continue to work on.

"Coming into the tour my technique was fine and the technical problems have come from some extremely disciplined bowling and I have to give credit to the South African attack for that."

Adams believes one good score will take the pressure off, adding: "Some people are very fortunate because they prosper early on and they are away then because the pressure's off," Adams added.

"If that doesn't happen, as with any professional sport, there's pressure and when you play at the top level the pressure is at its greatest.

"Having played Test cricket I now need to perform in Test cricket and to do that I need to score runs.

"It's tough, it's hard work and there's no getting away from that and it's far tougher than I imagined it would be.

"I've sat at home and watched England play Test cricket on television and scrutinised as everybody else has done.

"I wondered why people play certain shots and bowl certain lines and drop catches and maybe I'm a little bit more enlightened as to why these things happen now."

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