Randjesfontien (South Africa) -  England, groggy from a summer of successive humiliations at home, are hoping to benefit from what they perceive to be a "division in the South African ranks" with Hansie Cronje's role as captain under pressure by the new selection panel.

Cronje is still keeping a low profile over the question of his leadership of the South African side which is to be reviewed by the selectors after four Tests: the first two of which are against Zimbabwe in late October and early November and then against England at the Wanderers and Port Elizabeth. He was involved in a pow wow in Durban on Tuesday with Rushdie Majiet, the new convener of the national panel, with the new coach Graham Ford also involved in the discussions. What emerged from that discussion was a more confident Cronje and a statement issued to a media conference after the meeting which did much to paper over the cracks and agreement to consult both captain and coach on team selection policy.

While this has, to an extent, solved a few areas of communication lines between captain, coach and convener, there seemed to be a certain amount of inexperience by the selection panel when announcing the side for the quadrangular slogs event in Nairobi later this month.

It could be put down to inexperience by the new convener, but had Majiet followed the policy of his predecessor Peter Pollock and consulted the thoughts of Cronje and Ford, none of the rumpus which emerged during the past week would have taken place. But new men in new roles should have also been guided by those in the know.

As for England's touring team management for South Africa, however, they have viewed with some merriment the first fumbling efforts of Majiet and his selectors, among who are three former LOIs and Test captains, Clive Rice, Mike Procter and Kepler Wessels. It has taken a little pressure off their own team'S poor 2-1 series defeat by New Zealand and having their World Cup party invitation embarrassingly withdrawn after the first round.

David Graveney, whose last venture in South Africa was 10 years ago as the player/manager of the last rebel tour led by Mike Gatting, is said by England insiders to view the Cronje episode as a 'vote of no confidence' in his leadership skills. Forget the suggested lack of batting form displayed during the World Cup. It is the captaincy issue against which there is a serious question mark.

'England are still in trauma over their display of form in the World Cup and then the tests against New Zealand,' says the insider. 'They see the South African selection contretemps as a sign of weakness as well as an admission that they are uncertain of Cronje's role in their long-term planning.' Not surprisingly there is also the view the selectors are themselves uncertain of their 'best team selection' policy and there is a query whether Majiet and his fellow panel members are not being pressurised through the transformation policy. This could become clearer in late October when the South African A squad to play a series against Sri Lanka is announced. Apart from the captaincy issue of that side there is also a need to bring on the 'players of colour'. The way the England management are viewing the South African selection policy the Test sides to play Zimbabwe and those for the three-match A Team series against Sri Lanka in November and December should crystallise their thinking.