England can be an unpredictable lot. They do boast of quality batting in the middle order but it has a tendency to look frail out of the blue. With Kevin Pietersen missing out of action for the ICC Champions Trophy, a lot will depend on how Paul Collingwood and Andrew Flintoff steer the middle order.

Flintoff is the man for all seasons in the English dressing room and his all-round abilities will be a huge asset for Andrew Strauss in South Africa. If he manages to stay fit, the other teams will have hell to pay for.

The bowling is a little inexperienced but Stuart Broad and James Anderson will relish the conditions in South Africa, where the ball will do its bit in September.

Strauss's captaincy might also be a crucial factor, leading as he a bunch of men, who are considered to be gifted but lazy in their approach to the game at large. If everything clicks for the English, nothing can stop them from causing a major upset.