Miller expects thrilling finale

Andrew Strauss and co have put themselves in an unbeatable position, 1-0 up with only the Wanderers Test to come, exceeding the expectations of many.

National selector Geoff Miller is well aware England have already surprised a majority of observers by following their Ashes victory with a win and two draws away to a team ranked top of the world up to last month.

But he has set his sights on a second win in a match starting on Thursday, on what is noted as a 'result' pitch.

"This has been a very, very difficult tour,’’ he said.

"We came out here, and people were questioning some of the selections - who we'd left out and who we'd actually picked.

"Was our squad going to be strong enough to play against a team who were the best in the world?

"The answer is we've just beaten them in a one-day series - and not only that, we're 1-0 up with one to play in the Test series.’’ Injury concerns beset England at the start of a five-match ODI series but have disappeared since, allowing them to pick an unchanged team in three Tests so far.

Much conjecture about their collective wisdom accompanied the decision to pick an extra batsman and only four bowlers in the first Test at Centurion.

The jury was still out on the inclusion of Ian Bell to bat at number six after he failed twice in the first Test. But he has repaid the faith in spades since then with a big hundred in an innings victory at Durban and a match-saving 78 in Cape Town - delighting Miller, and others.

"We're looking for continuity, and we hope they return that by performing on the field,’’ said the national selector.

"Ian had a bit of a tough time. He was left out, and when the opportunity came back we didn't just bring him back straight away; we gave him the opportunity to go and sort his game out, which he did.

"We felt, and he felt, that if he got that chance again he could do it - and he has done it, on two occasions.

"One was when we were in a very strong position and one when we weren't. That was the question asked of him many times, and I'm thrilled to bits with him that he's been a very integral part of us drawing that game.’’ Miller does not warm to comparisons between the achievements of winning the Ashes and doing so well in South Africa - but he is happy to see England follow one notable performance with another.

"I wouldn't say this exceeds it. They are different series altogether.

"We appreciated this was going to be a tough tour.

"This side is starting to move forward; it's a very good unit, with a very good atmosphere - and we've got some quality players.

"I'm very optimistic. I like the way it's going.’’ He will like it even more if things go the way he hopes in Johannesburg.

"I'm not particularly looking for a draw in the series - I'm looking for us to actually go out and win this game.

"We've played two games where we've just hung on by the skin of our teeth; then the other one, we've gone out and played exceedingly well.

"I'm anticipating doing well in this last Test match as well. We've got players who are capable of winning games. We won't be going out to play for a draw in this Test match - we're going out to win it.’’ South Africa coach Mickey Arthur has made no secret of the fact he expects the Wanderers surface to be geared to producing an outright result in a match the hosts must win to avoid series defeat.

England's selectors are prepared to change their winning team if they think it necessary. But unless injuries return, that seems unlikely.

"What we always do from a selection point of view is give the captain and coach the option to go in whatever direction they require,’’ said Miller.

"It's been six batsmen and four bowlers - three seamers and one a spinner. If you wanted to play an extra spinner, it's there for them. If they wanted to play an extra seamer, it's there for them.

"We can look at the surface, assess it and play a side accordingly. Whatever we turn up to, we can cover.’’