All-round ability gives the edge to South Africa

In 15 years of that annual tournament, however, England played 53 matches against a succession of touring teams and won 60 per cent of them. In their own conditions, and when the force is with them, they can be a match for anyone.

With sunshine forecast and on a pitch that looks pale, firm and true, it will be a surprise if this is not one of those matches when 250 is a minimum rather than a maximum target for the side batting first. It would be no less a surprise if Angus Fraser were preferred to Ian Austin, but faced with quality opposition on a quality pitch, it would make sense.

England, as usual, will not name their side until the toss but the inclinations of the three selectors - David Graveney, David Lloyd and Alec Stewart - will be to stick to the XI that defeated Kenya so efficiently.

Robert Croft will surely play, not just because Graeme Hick's stiff shoulder seems to rule out the possibility of a prolonged bowling stint. He took his chance well on Tuesday at Canterbury. Croft (three for 51), Gough (one for 38) and Ealham (none for 38) were the only bowlers to get through ten overs each last year when South Africa prevailed by three wickets with eight balls in hand.

England played two specialist spinners on that occasion. Ashley Giles, with two for 37, had the sort of game that seemed to make him a likely member of the World Cup squad. But things can change quickly in cricket, especially when it comes to the selection of England teams. Nick Knight, who was top scorer with 64, will continue to be no more than a reserve today, alongside Adam Hollioake, who was captain 12 months ago. Chris Adams, Darren Maddy, Chris Lewis, Ali Brown and Matthew Fleming were all in the 15 last year.

All the experiments were aimed at winning the World Cup and, so far, England have done little wrong. "Whoever wins this game will probably win the group," Stewart said yesterday after a realistic appraisal of his opponents. "They're a very good side. They've got strength in depth with bat and ball and they're the best fielding side in the world."

He might have added that they are the most cohesive team in the world, at least on the recent evidence of Australian fallibility. Fielding and the team ethic have always been the strength of South Africa sides - Colin Bland was the Jonty Rhodes of his day, Ali Bacher the Hansie Cronje - but they have taken the ideal of all for one and one for all to new heights under the present regime. Unlike England, too, they know who will be coach after the World Cup. Whereas David Lloyd's successor will initially be a part-time appointment, Bob Woolmer's replacement, Graham Ford, is with the team during this tournament, so the handover should be seamless.

Twice in the last week the South Africans have been under intense pressure and have shown the priceless capacity to find a man for each occasion. At Hove against India it was primarily Jacques Kallis; at Northampton it was Lance Klusener. It was also the case throughout their tour of England last year, and it still is, that the side suffers from poor starts with the bat. Gary Kirsten needs to improve on recent form and while there may be no friendlier pitch than the Oval, it is equally true that there are few better bowlers with the new ball than Darren Gough.

"I'm feeling fresh and bowling quite quick at the minute," Gough said yesterday, "but one-day cricket is about bowling straight and moving the ball." The South Africans will feel that anything Gough can do, Allan Donald can do even better. The crux of the match might be his struggle in the middle section of the England innings against Thorpe, Fairbrother and Flintoff, who have so far had only one brief innings between them.

May 22, 1999