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England today named their squad to face South Africa tomorrow in the third test at Edgbaston. Despite some excellent batting Stuart Broad has been dropped, but then he has been looking tired recently, and his bowling has become increasing innocuous. Steve Harnison, a man whose career faltered just as it seemed to be unstoppable, failed to make the final 11 despite his inclusion in the squad. Paul Collingwood returns, and will hope his grit and know how will see his form improve with the bat. Tim Ambrose maintains his place behind the stumps, but is batting at a more appropriate number 8.

England's 4 man attack looks a tasty proposition, and the Proteas will need to continue to show excellent judgment and patience with the bat. Ryan Sidebottom, returning from injury, Flintoff, and Panesar, all have a natural economy to their game, and this will lead, one suspects, to South Africa targeting Anderson for runs. His sometimes wild, other times unplayable, hostility should complement the more controlled aggression of Flintoff and Sidebottom, and England should reap benefits. The more economic pairing of the England strike bowlers should also suit Panesar, especially if South africa decide to go after him. He is too good, and tenacious, a bowler to be batted out of the game. the Edgbaston wicket shoudl suit him too. all in all the bowling England bowling line up seems a much more balanced and complete, even without a 5th specialist option. In the last test too much was expected of Flintoff in Sidebottom's absence, and he was left to carry a struggling Broad and some bloke called Pattinson who turned out for what is surely his last, as well as first, test. Either way expect South Africa to score slowly in this match, or score fast while shedding wickets.

England's batting line-up depends very much on the top 3, and arguably Bell at number 4, hanging round to build a strong foundation, which will allow for more expansive play from Flintoff and Pietrson in the middle order. Strauss and Cook have both seemed solid and looked in reasonable touch, and Bell's first test innings is an indicator of his good form. Vaughan needs to stick around until he finds some runs if england are to prosper in the event of an early dismissal of one of the opening pair. While Vaughan's captaincy is beyond criticism questions are asked of his batting with increasing frequency. He will require at least one critic silencing innings per series if he is to maintain his place on merit of batting alone for the next Ashes series.

England's faith, for the the time being, in Tim Ambrose, sees the pressure fall off him. He can play his natural game at number 8 without too much weight of expectation, as well as concentrate on his keeping. Continued disappointment with the bat should see him replaced by Prior or Foster at the end of the series however. So the pressure, for now, is off for this game only. After the selection shocks in the bowling department last match England's faith and consistency in the wicket keeping area seems strangely reassuring.

Football Oversose Tip: England Win to set up a high stakes series decider for the final test. The tandem bowling of sidebottom and Flintoff is heralded after snaffling out any opportunity for the South African batsmen to show some flair.

Cricket brains among you? any opinions?