First semi-final at the Oval today:

England determined, South Africa fancied

Elmo Rodrigopulle reporting from England

England who has never laid their hands on the ICC Champions Trophy will try every trick in the book to beat South Africa in the first semi-final and enter the final when they meet at the Kennington Oval, today.

South Africa inaugural winners of the trophy in 1998, will not succumb easily and will want to repeat that effort and so the stage is set for great game of cricket. South Africa entered the semi-finals beating the West Indies and England the New Zealanders.

Playing in their own backyard and knowing the wicket and conditions like the back of their hand, England go out favourites. At the time of writing the fickle and unpredictable weather is holding, but you never know.

Thriller at the Oval - sub head

The Oval was the scene where Sri Lanka and Australia played out a thriller and Sri Lanka held their nerve to push Australia out and enter the semi-finals. That was one of the best matches in the tournament.

England overcame a ball tampering charge leveled at them by their former fast bowler Bb Willis. In a rain affected game in Cardiff, they narrowly beat New Zealand.

Left hand batsman and Captain Alastair Cook who has settled down well to limited overt cricket, is leading them from the front, as his match winning knock against New Zealand proved.

Quick scoring batsmen

In Ian Bell, Jonathon Trott, Joe Root, Jos Butler and Eoin Morgan,they have some quick scoring batsmen. Once they settle down play some punishing strokes and never let the bowlers bowl line and length.

The batsman who has caught the eye is young Joe Root. He has scored in almost every game and is determined to add to his stature in this game. So the South African bowlers better watch out. England will rely on their pair of opening bowlers James Anderson and Stuart Broad to stall the South African batsmen. Both use the new ball cleverly and if the conditions are in their favour become unplayable.

Swann could play

England is trying hard to get their main spinner Graeme Swann who missed the South African game on the field. If he plays the South African batsmen will find his spin difficult to counter if the wicket helps him.

South Africa now that they have entered the semis, will play their best cricket in an endevour to enter the finals. They know that if they put pressure on England, they can nail them.

They are happy with the return of their spearhead Dale Steyn. Steyn is a bowler who can instill fear on the England batsmen with his speed and swing and get them the early break through. In addition he packs a vicious bouncer.

A lot will depend on their openers Colin Ingram and Hashim Amla to give them a solid start .Batsmen of the caliber of skipper Abraham de Villiers, Jean Duminy and Faa du Plessis must make it at point to remain at the wicket and make big scores.

The stage is set for a cracker of a game.

Kennington Oval, London, Tuesday.