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.