While the South African’s batting is more reliable an average of 87

While the South African’s batting is more reliable (an average of 87.92 in nine matches this year) Flintoff takes games and changes them – and has scored fifties in the last eight Tests. Kallis’s bowling has become ineffectively containing while Flintoff now takes wickets at key times. Kallis, from being a shoo-in, has been superseded by Flintoff. They do now and it is usually heading for their throat from a length at 90mph. In every pre-series chat by England’s management, Harmison has been mentioned.

It is possible he has been lying dormant, waiting for an appropriate moment to burst forth again (he is still only 31) but will have to act quickly Then, there is Harmison: fast, accurate, relentless. Once, batsmen did not know what to expect, one down the leg side or the off. But it has taken a toll and after 353 wickets his pace is slower and his venomous bounce lower. “However, it is quite another matter to take a polygraph examination that will test whether one is truthful or untruthful.”Conte, a former bass guitarist turned self-educated nutritionist who lives to the south of San Francisco, did not immediately respond to the latest challenge. He, his deputy and two coaches are due to go on trial next year..

Amir Khan will fight on a Frank Warren bill next year in a unique pro-am show that will feature Joe Calzaghe, the WBO world super-middleweight champion, in the main event. Both Warren and Khan will benefit from the temporary liaison because Khan will fight on a big show and Warren will be able to showcase the brilliant teenager’s talent.Khan, who turned 18 last week, has fought only once since winning the lightweight silver medal at the Olympics, in a fight televised by the BBC two weeks ago. It has not been a lone slog because he has been accompanied first by Allan Donald and latterly by Makhaya Ntini. Vaughan, starting his 20th match in charge, leads a side that has forgotten how to lose (10 wins and a draw in 11 Tests), Smith, still only 23, is entering his 21st Test with a raw team that has mislaid the winning habit (one in the last seven). Vaughan gives little away while Smith has demonstrated his emotional vulnerability – famously when New Zealand’s Stephen Fleming offered a tongue-lashing as Smith went out to bat and saw him dismissed immediately. The pair’s natures will count as much as their runs.Verdict: Vaughan’s placidity should overcome Smith’s excitability.The Fast BowlersStephen Harmison v Shaun Pollock For nine long years Pollock has ploughed his furrow.

Both warned yesterday that it is likely to be an aggressive series. Their captaincy careers have run in tandem, with differing results. South Africa will not play a specialist spinner after Nicky Boje failed to convince the selectors he had recovered from a recent operation. There was better news on Jacques Kallis, who may be fit enough to bowl in the second innings. The final place in South Africa’s side is likely to be between the uncapped Dale Steyn, and Hashim Amla.CROSSING SWORDS: THREE DUELS THAT COULD SWING THE SERIESThe CaptainsMichael Vaughan v Graeme Smith Vaughan is calm and phlegmatic but no soft touch. Smith is vociferous, constantly spurring on his men, letting his opponents know where he thinks they stand.