Broad at seven and no Bell

Not that I'm an England selector or have anywhere near the credentials required for such a role but here follows my gut feeling for the First Test in Centurion that's slowly creeping up on us in December:

Strauss
Cook
Trott
Pietersen
Collingwood
Prior
Broad
Swann
Sidebottom/Plunkett
Anderson
Onions

No, I don't like batting Stuart Broad at seven. I don't like it one jot. But the alternative is handing a debut to Luke Wright, a decision that seems a tad premature in my opinion, and moving everyone down a place. Ideally at this stage in his tender career, Broad would come in at eight, in front of the capable but not 100% reliable Graeme Swann. But the void created by Andrew Flintoff's departure means England need a stroke maker to come in after Matt Prior and, while Wright may have explosive potential, Broad is the safer option.

With Graham Onions and Jimmy Anderson as the other pacemen, the remaining spot is a toss up between the perennially injured Ryan Sidebottom and the reborn Liam Plunkett. Sidebottom's Test career is in the definition of word 'stagnation' at the moment and my instinct would be to avoid him. Having said that, it's a tough baptism of fire for Plunkett, who is known to have a wayward radar when things aren't going his way. Do the selectors opt for Sidebottom's experience and unique left arm threat? Or do they gamble on Plunkett's late swing and new found confidence?

With no Ravi Bopara in the squad, Paul Collingwood's spot is safe - for now, at least. Jonathan Trott should probably be entrusted with the troublesome number three slot over Ian Bell. His tough demeanor and knowledge of South African conditions will ultimately put him in better stead than the infuriatingly inconsistent Bell. With all the luck in the world, Kevin Pietersen will be fit and happy again to bat at number four, giving the line-up a touch more flair and firepower. Pietersen's achilles injury will hopefully have given him the chance to recharge his batteries and regain some enthusiasm for the game he admits he needed a break from.

On paper, it doesn't appear a hugely strong team and pundits have been predicting a series of leather chasing for tourists. But underestimate this England side at your peril. Australia made the mistake of being too blase with their attitude towards Andy Flower's men and paid the ultimate price. In Onions and Swann, England have two underrated bowlers who the South Africans have yet to face and whilst it'll be a mightily tough challenge, they will take with them the faintest glimmer of optimism and the firm belief that, on their day, they can upset anyone.

Ferdinand's failings exposed

As much as I enjoy seeing Man Utd get beat, there was something quite disturbing about the casual ease in which Fernando Torres shrugged off Rio Ferdinand for his opening goal yesterday.

The Spain hitman, widely acknowledged as one of, if not, the best striker in the world, combined superb upper body strength with beguiling touch to keep Ferdinand (widely acknowledged as England's best defender) at bay and create space to lash his shot into the roof of the net. A fantastic goal and a joy to watch it most certainly was.

But it comes with mighty ominous signs for England followers; The nation's best centre half is having a torrid time at the moment. For the all the celebration of Torres' goal, fast forward nine or so months and put both players in their international kits. I very much doubt there'll be much euphoria when Torres has Ferdinand wrapped around his little finger in a World Cup quarter final.

Liverpool's gain, England's loss.