ENGLAND have not discounted the possibility of playing two spinners in next week's first Test, even though South Africa are lining up a five-pronged pace attack.

Richard Illingworth and Mike Watkinson may have to wait until later in this winter's five-match series if the early pitches favour fast bowling.

But England are determined to back their own judgment, rather than be swayed by South Africa's near obsession with pace.

"If we think the first Test pitch is a turner then we'll pick both spinners," insisted captain Mike Atherton. "They are not here for the ride.''

The fact that South Africa are taking slow left-armer Clive Eksteen to Centurion Park, Pretoria, next week as "cover only" suggests the surface is bound to be a paceman's paradise. But no-one really knows how the pitch will play. "A spinner has just taken six wickets in an innings there," pointed out Atherton. "We will want to look at the Test pitch before making any decisions."

The bowler referred to by England's skipper is 18-year-old Paul Adams, a left-arm wrist spinner who was playing his first match for Western Province in a Castle Cup fixture against Transvaal.

Today, Adams continues his startling rise by appearing in the South Africa A side which will give England their last competitive work-out before the opening Test.

Illingworth has not been selected for the four-day game but has performed well so far this tour. He took five for 48 against Oppenheimer's XI and followed that with six for 76 in Soweto.

Watkinson, troubled recently by an ankle problem, is named in England's 12 here.

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