KENT batsmen Ed Smith and Rob Key may well be hearing conflicting news this morning when England announce their squad to face South Africa in next week's first npower Test in Birmingham.

Key appears almost resigned to losing his place in the England squad after a disastrous run in the NatWest one-day series and, ironically, his in-form clubmate Smith appears to be in the running to replace him.

Key's last chance to impress passed him by on Tuesday when he was dismissed for a single against Lancashire but Smith, 26 tomorrow, replaced him at the crease in Blackpool to hit a career-best 203 in front of watching selector Geoff Miller.

The innings also made Smith the first batsman to pass the 1,000 run milestone for the first-class season and extended an extraordinary run of "all or nothing" scoring that reads 0,0, 135,0,122, 149,113 and 203.

The former Cambridge Blue was seen in deep conversation with another England selector, ECB Academy director Rod Marsh, in Blackpool yesterday afternoon, fuelling speculation that his name may be in the hat for an Edgbaston debut.

England's selectors appear to have some tough choices on the agenda following the success of their one-day outfit.

Anthony McGrath and Graham Thorpe are in the vying for Key's middle order berth, Chris Read is threatening to oust veteran wicketkeeper Alec Stewart, while fast bowling Darren Gough may yet complete a fairytale comeback from injury by winning a Test recall.

England's npower Test squad will be announced by the Chairman of Selectors, David Graveney, on BBC Radio Five at 12.15 pm.