This time it is serious - that is the message from Essex skipper Nasser Hussain as he and his England team-mates prepare for tomorrow's all-important World Cup cricket clash with South Africa at The Oval.

Hussain knows victory over Sri Lanka and Kenya will count for nothing once the action in England's third Group A match of the tournament starts in front of a sell-out crowd.

The Essex skipper said: ''South Africa are the pre-tournament favourites, and quite rightly so. They have tremendous quality running right through the side in every department.

''Having said that, we're certainly not going along to The Oval just for the ride. The whole of the England camp is in good spirits after our two wins and we certainly believe that we can beat them.''

Hussain has plenty of reason to be happy with his form after scoring an unbeaten 88 in Tuesday's win over Kenya, a performance that ensured him a place in tomorrow's starting line-up.

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