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Record-breaking England name unchanged team

09/07/2008

England will keep the same team for the sixth match in succession against South Africa tomorrow, setting a new record in Test cricket.

The current XI has played the last five Test matches against New Zealand - winning four and drawing one.

And in the continued absence of star all-rounder Andrew Flintoff the selectors have opted to keep faith with the same squad for the opening match against the Proteas at Lord's.

"Our performances got better as the New Zealand series went on and we want that to continue against South Africa," captain Michael Vaughan explained.

"Hopefully the side will put in a similar performance to the one we delivered against New Zealand at Trent Bridge last time."

That match saw England record a comprehensive victory over the Black Caps, winning by an innings and nine runs.

And Vaughan said he is "quietly confident" his bowlers will be able to continue their good form from that game when they face the far sterner challenge of Graeme Smith's South Africa over the next five weeks.

Full England lineup:

Michael Vaughan (captain), Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Tim Ambrose (wicketkeeper), Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Ryan Sidebottom, Monty Panesar.