In early 1997 South Africa were 2-1 up in a seven-match series and then 4-2 down. The following year in the Carlton & United Series in Australia they qualified for the finals by beating Australia in all four group matches and in the first of the three finals. Australia, however, won the next two.So, they must be vigilant. But anybody suggesting that under the severest pressure they can be brittle - in this country, allowing England to draw the Old Trafford Test last summer from a hopeless position - might have to re-think. During the winter, in both Test and one-dayers they swept aside West Indies and accounted for New Zealand.In Jacques Kallis, Shaun Pollock and Lance Klusener, the South Africans have an enviable resource. For now, they are coming up with all-rounders the way the Caribbean used to produce lethal fast bowlers. Kallis has a batting average of 40, a bowling average of 30 and an economy rate of 4.79.

Klusener's figures are 39, 28 and 4.9 and Pollock's are 29, 23 and 3.89 These are telling numbers.They do not possess a truly world- class individual batsman - unless Darryl Cullinan is finally fulfilling all that he promised - but their tail wags furiously and frequently, and wins matches by itself if necessary. In Herschelle Gibbs they appear to have found Gary Kirsten's opening partner, in Rhodes they possess the catalyst for all they do in the field. In Allan Donald and Pollock they have individuals to win matches.Above all South Africa are a team They will take some beating.. VERDICT: All things are possible and England might overcome recent poor form, an ageing squad prone to injury and the precedent that no host nation has ever won the World Cup to become champions The start is crucial. If they can win the opening match (preferably in style, but any old way will suffice), stoke their self-belief and receive the unqualified backing of the nation, we could be in for some five weeks With this lot, do not expect to emerge emotionally intact. The head insists that the heart is bonkers, but the heart is looking towards Lord's on 20 June and the future of English cricket thereafter.

EMERGING HERO: Since the youngest member in the rest of the squad is 27 and they have an average age of above 31 the only possible contender would seem to be the big biffer from Preston, Andrew Flintoff. His fellow Lancastrian, Ian Austin, also keeps being mentioned as one who could have a profound effect on England's chances. However, a sneaking suspicion suggests that Vince Wells has the quality and depth of county experience to surprise a few. ACHILLES' HEEL: Less a heel, more an array of dodgy backs, hamstrings and knees.HISTORICAL POINT: The first century scored for England in their first match in the first World Cup also remains their highest. Dennis Amiss's innings of 137 came out of a total 334 for 4 as England beat India by 202 runs on 7 June 1975.SILLY POINT: England might have considered playing Sri Lanka at Taunton instead of Lord's. There, they scored their second highest Cup total (333 for 9), scored one of their five centuries (David Gower's 130) and took their only five wicket haul (Vic Marks's 5 for 39). They also won by 47 runs - against Sri Lanka.RECORD: 1975 semi-final; 1979 runners-up; 1983 semi-final; 1987 runners- up; 1992 runners-up; 1996 quarter-finalSQUAD: A J Stewart (capt), I D Austin, R D B Croft, M A Ealham, A Flintoff, N H Fairbrother, A R C Fraser, D Gough, G A Hick, A J Hollioake, N Hussain, N V Knight, A D Mullally, G P Thorpe, V J Wells.ODDS: 5-1..