Dominant South Africa start as favourites
Cricinfo previews the first of five ODIs against South Africa at Headingley
Match facts
Friday August 22, 2008Start time 2.30pm (13.30GMT)
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Big Picture
Chastened by a 2-1 defeat in the Test series, England have their chance for redemption with the first of five one-dayers against South Africa, beginning at Headingley on Friday. Though much of the focus will be on Kevin Pietersen and how he leads his one-day side, perhaps the most interesting sub-plots of the series will be the return of Steve Harmison - who has come out of ODI retirement - and the opening partnership between Ian Bell and Matt Prior, returning to international cricket after 12 months. Their relationship at the top of the order will be crucial if England are to compete on level terms with South Africa, the No.2 ODI side in the world, who bristle with aggression (they welcome back Herschelle Gibbs) and nous (JP Duminy). With Paul Collingwood still absent following his dubious tactics in the one-day series against New Zealand earlier in the summer, and Ryan Sidebottom again injured, England have it all to do. However, with Harmison and Andrew Flintoff in the bowling attack, alongside James Anderson, they do have the fire power to cause some problems.Form guide
England NLLLNSouth Africa WWWWW
Watch out for
Herschelle Gibbs No longer favoured by South Africa as a Test opener, Gibbs comes into the series fresh and firing. A brisk 81 helped South Africa beat England Lions last week, and he offers an explosive, dynamic start to their innings. By his own standards he struggled to make an impact against Bangladesh earlier in the year, but nevertheless has four hundreds in his last fifteen matches. England can only dream of such riches. Opening the innings with his captain, Graeme Smith, will make for a thrilling denouement to the international summer.Team news
England are still without Collingwood, who is in the middle of serving a four-match ban following the one-day series against New Zealand, which alters their middle-order somewhat. Samit Patel made his debut in the drizzly encounter against Scotland this week, but it seems likely that England will opt for Graeme Swann and Luke Wright in their middle and lower-order. Again, Sidebottom has failed a fitness test meaning Tim Bresnan might another game or Harmison could be thrown straight back in. Owais Shah - who was "wasted" at No.6, according to Pietersen - will bat at No.3, as England ring the changes and opt for Bell and Prior as their latest opening combination.Pitch and conditions
After the Twenty20 washout at Chester-le-Street there remains a concern that Headingley, too, may not be ready in time for Friday. Heavy showers were forecast for Thursday, and that trend was to continue on Friday too, making the toss all the more important. A fired-up Dale Steyn, who missed the last two matches of South Africa's Test series win, could be an exhilarating prospect on a damp and seaming Leeds pitch.Stats and Trivia
- South Africa haven't lost a one-dayer since New Zealand beat them at home in November 2007. In fact, they are on a remarkable winning streak of nine-straight victories
Quotes
"There were times when I thought maybe if I didn't keep, my batting average would escalate and I could try and get in just as a batsman."Matt Prior reveals the steps he considered taking to force his way back into the England side
Johan Botha on his remodelled action and return as South Africa's main spinning option