By Jonathan Agnew BBC cricket correspondent

Only Marcus Trescothick has played in all 20 ODIs

It is a sign of the times that, in this calendar year, England have already played in 20 one-day internationals.

In the same time, they have played only three Tests and while the World Cup added to England's workload, only five of those 20 ODIs were played in South Africa.

The most interesting statistic of all is only one player - Marcus Trescothick - has appeared in all those 20 games.

That says a great deal for his stamina, but also speaks volumes about those who were chosen for the World Cup, and its build-up.

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Only six, including Harmison whose selection continues to baffle me, have survived.

However, there are already encouraging signs of a resurgence in England's one-day form.

I know the ICC's one-day championship has hardly set the world alight, but should England beat South Africa in this NatWest final, they will move from seventh place to third.

The system has its critics, of course, but Duncan Fletcher, Michael Vaughan and the selectors will be quick to use it as an indication that their new-look team is moving in the right direction.

One-day games are impossible to call in advance.

Harmison's (left) inclusion baffles Agnew

Because we are not used to watching England win consistently, we may regard the visitors as favourites to win at Lord's.

This is despite convincing England wins in two of their three encounters so far and flies in the face of the evidence we have seen from the South Africans.

The lack of belief in England at present lies in the concerns about their middle order, and the fear that a collapse is just around the corner.

Until Graham Thorpe is reinstated - if he wants to tour this winter, that is - the unease will not go away.

But South Africa's change bowling has lacked discipline and, Kallis apart, their big batting guns have not yet fired.

Predictions from other members of the Test Match Special team

A showpiece can often bring out the best in top class performers, and there is no stage grander than Lord's.

But if England can keep their nerve, and Trescothick and Vaughan remain in good touch, England should win to complete an encouraging one-day season.