LONDON, July 11: South Africa’s big match temperament will be tested in Saturday’s triangular series final against England at Lord’s on Saturday.

South Africa finished top of the tournament table but England lead them 2-1 after three previous series matches with both sides looking to recover from a disappointing World Cup.

At The Oval, South Africa were blown away by centuries from England openers Marcus Trescothick and Vikram Solanki.

But at Old Trafford, tight bowling by Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini put South Africa in charge early on before Jacques Kallis and Jacques Rudolph saw the Proteas home with the bat in commanding fashion.

Then at Edgbaston, Kallis (15) had his first failure of the series and South Africa were held to a meagre 198 for nine.

They then had England wobbling at 30 for three before one-day captain Vaughan and Flintoff eased the home side’s nerves.

South Africa captain Graeme Smith emphasised Friday that “both new balls do a lot up front,” in English conditions.

Much will depend on the new-ball attacks. Each side has a ‘fire-and-ice’ combination, Pollock providing the control for South Africa with Ntini the wicket-taking aggression.

For England, James Anderson has been the man to do most damage while, unusually, Darren Gough has found himself in the role of steadying influence.

Pollock, remarkably in view of the accuracy of his bowling, has taken just four wickets in the series and, as he himself said Friday, was due a change of luck.

Probable teams

England: Marcus Trescothick, Vikram Solanki, Michael Vaughan (capt), Anthony McGrath, Andrew Flintoff, Rikki Clarke, Chris Read (wkt), Ashley Giles, Stephen Harmison, Darren Gough, James Anderson

South Africa: Graeme Smith (capt), Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Hall, Jacques Kallis, Jacques Rudolph, Mark Boucher (wkt), Martin van Jaarsveld, Shaun Pollock, Paul Adams, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini.—AFP