England began the five-Test series against South Africa trumpeting their faith in a new generation.

They end it by recalling a 34-year-old batsman, who may line up alongside a 34-year-old bowler recalled for the first time in a decade just a few weeks earlier, while wondering how to replace a venerable 40-year-old behind the stumps.

Graeme Smith's touring side, in contrast, are interested in only one thing.

"We want to go to The Oval and make it 3-1, not just hold on to our lead," said Smith.

The South Africans, ready to field a full-strength side for the first time after missing Jacques Kallis, Gary Kirsten and Shaun Pollock at various stages of the series, are justifiably confident after dominating in all areas.

The weather cheated them of victory in the first Test at Edgbaston, although they earned the consolation of tipping a demoralised Nasser Hussain over the edge as England captain, and got the worst of a poor wicket to lose at Trent Bridge.

Otherwise, they have bowled better, batted deeper and fielded with more energy than their hosts, while also winning almost every psychological battle.

VAUGHAN COMPLAINT

New England captain Michael Vaughan, attempting to make sense of his team's failings after the fourth Test defeat, resorted to blaming the county game and too much cricket.

It did not go unnoticed that, as he whined, South Africa were preparing to release all rounder Andrew Hall, one of the key figures in their Headingley success, to play for Worcestershire in the Cheltenham and Gloucestershire Trophy final at Lord's.

Hall, clearly, is not allergic to playing the odd extra game at county level.

Graham Thorpe's return after a year in exile following domestic problems will certainly add class to the England batting -- only Vaughan can trump his Test average of 41.87 -- although he only gets his chance after Hussain fractured a toe.

The Surrey left-hander could simply no longer be ignored after the failures of James Troughton and Ed Smith to make the step-up to international level during the English summer.

However Vaughan's cornerstone problem, apart from his own wretched lack of form which has limited him to 126 runs in seven innings, remains the bowling.

Without the recently retired Darren Gough and the injured and increasingly grey-haired Andy Caddick, England have looked as intimidating as a Chihuahua without teeth.

Swing bowler James Anderson, so effective at this year's World Cup in South Africa, has lost confidence after being repeatedly pasted by Smith's broad bat. Steve Harmison looks frightening but does not take wickets.

SHOCK RECALL

Their failures led to the shock recall of Martin Bicknell, well into his 35th year, and Steve Kirtley, who managed two matches before breaking down with shin problems.

The excellent Andrew Flintoff, seen by coach Duncan Fletcher as a batting all rounder, has had to paper over the widening cracks.

Vaughan, however, has no new bowling tricks to pull out of a hat at The Oval.

With the pitch likely to be far superior than Headingley's up-and-down track, South Africa will feel they have little to worry about when the match starts on Thursday.

The 22-year-old Smith, in particular, will be seeking to get back in the runs.

He began the Test series with scores of 277, 85 and 259 but has missed out since, his average slumping to a mediocre 96.71.

Pollock, meanwhile, will be seeking to get back among the wickets after missing the previous match to attend the birth of his daughter.

While they perform, England may be reduced to looking back rather than forward.

Alec Stewart's 133rd and last Test, after a doughty career spanning 8,425 runs, is certainly worthy of English celebration. The result at The Oval is unlikely to be.