Steve Finn has not been included in the England team to face South Africa in the first Test at The Oval.

The 23-year-old Watford-born bowler made his return to the Test side for the final match of the West Indies series in June, taking three for 109 in the rain-curtailed draw at Edgbaston, when James Anderson and Stuart Broad were rested.

That pair were always certain to return to the side to face Graeme Smith's men, meaning it was a straight fight between Finn and Tim Bresnan for the final pace bowling berth after Graham Onions was ruled out yesterday.

Unsurprisingly though, captain Andrew Strauss and the selectors have opted to stick with Bresnan as they bid to retain their status as the world's leading Test nation.