David James has won the battle of the England goalkeepers in Cape Town.
Despite apparently starting the week as third choice behind Robert Green and Joe Hart, James was the man Fabio Capello put his faith in to face Algeria.
Even as late as Thursday, it seemed Green would be given the chance to atone for his crass blunder against the United States last weekend, which cost England victory in their opening Group C outing.
However, after another couple of mistakes in training last night, Capello opted to turn to James, who started the first 13 matches of the Italian's reign.
Elsewhere, the Three Lions lined up exactly as expected. Emile Heskey held off a late challenge from Jermain Defoe to partner Wayne Rooney in attack, while Jamie Carragher started his first international for three years as replacement for the injured Ledley King.
Gareth Barry was the final change, coming into the starting line-up at the expense of James Milner.
Barry's involvement allowed Capello to shunt skipper Steven Gerrard into a more offensive role as England looked to assume pole position in the group, and Wayne Rooney set out to score his first World Cup goal.
Victory by two or more goals would ensure England needed only a draw from their last game against Slovenia to advance, as would a high-scoring single goal triumph.
