Unchanged England set record

3:30pm Wednesday 9th July 2008

England have made Test history by becoming the first side ever to name an unchanged line-up for the sixth successive match.

Captain Michael Vaughan announced the same side at Lord's on Wednesday prior to Thursday's start of the opening npower Test against South Africa.

Hampshire seamer Chris Tremlett once again missed out from the 12-man squad and Vaughan said: "Hopefully this side will put in a similar performance to the one we delivered against New Zealand at Trent Bridge (when England won by an innings and nine runs)."

He added: "I think our performances got better as the New Zealand series went on and we want that to continue against South Africa."

South Africa, meanwhile, are considering a last-minute change of mind - after appearing to know their team for Lord's since they arrived in the country.

The incessant rain on Wednesday left captain Graeme Smith admitting there is a possibility after all that spinner Paul Harris may not be picked.

Harris was expected to be a key if slightly low-profile player for the tourists this summer.

But should South Africa judge on Thursday morning that the bad weather has loaded the dice in favour of seam over spin, Andre Nel could yet be included in a five-man pace attack.