CRICKET FIRST TEST:ENGLAND WILL make history at the start of their series against South Africa today when they field the same Test side for the sixth successive match, but much of the attention yesterday centred on the man who allows nothing to be taken for granted - Andrew Flintoff.

Flintoff practised with England in the indoor nets as heavy rain fell and barring another injury setback in the championship match against Hampshire at the Rose Bowl, beginning tomorrow, his return for next week's second Test at Headingley looks inevitable.

The seemingly most secure England side of all time have at least half a dozen players with cause to wonder whether, if things go badly at Lord's, they might be the one to make way next week.

Mickey Arthur, South Africa's coach, had attempted the first psychological gambit of the four-Test series by suggesting Flintoff's presence in the background would unsettling England, and the greater the debate about how England will reshape their side to accommodate him the happier the South Africans will be.

But England responded to Arthur's mischievous theories by taking Flintoff out of the shadows and plonking him into the Lord's indoor school.

Michael Vaughan presented the Lancastrian's presence as inspirational, just the fillip for England as they enter a series that will give a true guide to their chances of regaining the Ashes from Australia next summer.

"It is international sport. You know there is pressure on and you have to live with that," Vaughan said. "Andrew Flintoff is an exceptional circumstance. We want him back in the team. He is practising with us just to get his foot in . . . How we get him in the team the selectors will have to decide."

Vaughan would prefer to have five bowlers. England's most vulnerable batsmen are Paul Collingwood and Ian Bell, both woefully out of form against New Zealand, but Flintoff's batting form does not warrant a place in the top six, so he could return as a package with Matt Prior, leading to the omission of Tim Ambrose as wicketkeeper.

But Headingley tempts a side to rely on a four-man attack, which might leave Jimmy Anderson or even Stuart Broad vulnerable.

After 19 successive matches against New Zealand, a confrontation with South Africa is overdue. The captains claim they are fit: Vaughan's knee has been lubricated, Graeme Smith's hamstring pummelled.

Smith's only grouse is with sections of the English media, who have responded to his new conciliatory manner by rehashing his old criticisms of Kevin Pietersen.

"The South Africa series is nearly up there with the Ashes," Vaughan said. "They . . . are a very special team. But I am quietly confident the way we swing the ball - and this week the ball should swing - we can put a lot of pressure on them."

Guardian Service

ENGLAND:M Vaughan (capt), A Cook, A Strauss, K Pietersen, I Bell, P Collingwood, T Ambrose (wkt), R Sidebottom, S Broad, J Anderson, M Panesar.

SOUTH AFRICA (from):GC Smith (capt), ND McKenzie, HM Amla, JH Kallis, AG Prince, AB de Villiers, MV Boucher (wkt), PL Harris, M Morkel, M Ntini, DW Steyn, A Nel.

Umpires:D Harper (Aus) and B Bowden (NZ) Third umpire: N Llong Match

Referee:J Crowe (NZ).