England, though, can ink in one important change from the Zimbabwe series. Flintoff missed both games because of a sore shoulder and his return will not only lengthen the batting line-up but also strengthen a pace attack likely to include Jimmy Anderson, Steve Harmison and Richard Johnson.
No one, though, discounts Gough without some serious thought. Having fought back from what looked like a careerthreatening injury, the 32-yearold has enjoyed every minute of these NatWest one-day games.
Yesterday, he was too sharp for the Zimbabweans while taking four for 26. He will be just as keen to get at the South Africans again in Birmingham tomorrow and at Lord's on Saturday.
But Gough knows there is a world of difference between bowling in limited-overs internationals and bowling several demanding spells on consecutive days in Tests.
He can't be sure yet whether his knee will stand up to the relentless pounding, and England would only be guessing if they said 'yes' on his behalf.
"I can't turn round and say Darren can bowl 25 overs one day and maybe another 15 the next," admitted coach Duncan Fletcher. "It's up to him, really. We've got to see if he can get through a four-day game with a lot of overs under his belt.
"At the end of the day we need a fit Darren Gough in a Test side. A half fit one is debatable."
Gough can play one four-day championship match for Yorkshire before the First Test against South Africa. But if England bide their time a little longer he will be able to double that workload and, if happy, declare himself fit for the second match at Lord's.
England have decided not to recall Robert Key for the rest of the NatWest series. Key was released to play in yesterday's National League game for Kent and will now play in this week's championship match against Notts.
