Blind to its secrets, immune to the chill winds that blow through the skeletons of those whose hopes have been crushed, they play with uncluttered minds. Others, neither greater nor lesser, cannot rid themselves of the endless exhilaration and exhaustion they meet along the way, cannot forget a game that lures as it betrays. To these fellows the game is not played against opponents, it is played against the self.

To see Andrew Flintoff and his cheerful walk to the crease was to suspect that he belongs to the first category. He seemed to imagine he was playing a game whereas, of course, he was embarking upon a turbulent journey into the soul. He is only 20 and knows not about trickery. After all, he is from Lancashire, where everyone resembles George Formby.

No sooner had Flintoff taken guard than lunch was called, whereupon he tootled off again. Doubtless he had steak and kidney pie, or something of the sort. Certainly he did in his mind. Everyone starts like this, until the illusion of immortality is broken. Flintoff may continue. He may not notice. It is hard to be this straightforward.

Immediately upon his return he drove Allan Donald to the straight boundary, a turn of events that so displeased the Bloemfontein bowler that he promptly unleashed two bumpers.

Flintoff's reaction was as significant as it was spontaneous. He hooked generously and missed, then he hooked again and missed. Indiscretion has long been the province of youth and all-rounders, and the Lancastrian is both. Nor did he hesitate to drive as Jacques Kallis finally bowled a straight ball.

It was a pity to see Flintoff fall as he pursued a delivery better left alone, another privilege of his age. On this evidence, he has presence, time, ability and the optimism his team need. Indeed this has been the most upbeat performance by England for some time. Ultimately, he must be judged by the runs he scores and wickets he takes. But there is no hurry.

Darker forces work within Mark Ramprakash. Doubtless he would like to be a simple sort, with a cheerful grin on his face, and a pint of Theakstons to drink in the evening. It is not going to be like that. No man can escape his own shadow. Ramprakash's task is to turn his temperament to his advantage, for it will not change.

Here, though, the Middlesex batsman did well. He sweated for his runs throughout, searching for a freedom that remains elusive. Always he feels he is living on borrowed time. Every ball is a threat to his longevity. He wants to dominate and wonders if he can. Sometimes it is easier to be an extrovert.

Much to his credit, Ramprakash fought his way through his thickets. It was not a pretty innings but these are not easy opponents. The South Africans permit no relaxation. Here the visitors bowl wide during Donald's brief rests.

Not until the last wicket fell did Ramprakash become aggressive. Upon hearing a rude remark as his partner approached, Ramprakash held out his bat to the crowd, inviting them to try their luck.

Now he played some interesting strokes, including a flick over midwicket, a drive through cover and a sumptuous square cut that told of ears pinned back. Circumstances had brought release.

One day he may allow himself to breath the fresh air of cricketing inspiration, perhaps, though those early failures will hold him tight, producing a different sort of batsman, a fighter, an accumulator and a warrior. He had been porcelain and needed to be something more robust.

Somewhere between Flintoff's promising simplicity and the Middlesex's captain's enduring complexity can be found the more elusive figure of Graeme Hick.

He, too, must face the loneliness of the long wait to bat. Here he almost fell third ball, narrowly escaping Donald's appeal for leg before. Soon afterwards he was gone, as his hook shot ricocheted on to his stumps.

Now he faced the loneliness of the long walk back to the pavilion. Doubt is a cricketer's constant companion. Somehow the player must turn it into a strength. Fear is never far away. Flintoff has probably not met these friends and fiends. Clearly Ramprakash is working hard to overcome them. For his part, Hick wants to be rid of it all so that he can return to the old days of authority and clean strokes.

In the end, though, the player must face the truths and find renewal within himself. Somehow he must remain his own self while absorbing the lessons of life.

Later the significance of Ramprakash's innings became clear as the visiting top order failed again. It must have given him satisfaction. He had been a central figure, not merely a survivor.

Flintoff has also played his part in the team whose performance has been notably energetic. This was a gruelling day's cricket, the match hangs in the balance.