Preview:
After a rain-aborted workout against Scotland on Monday at least gave a resurgent Andrew Flintoff the chance to impress, England face South Africa at Leeds for the first ODI.
The South Africans will prove a different kettle of fish for Kevin Pietersen and company given that the tourists are fresh from a 2-1 Test series win - their first in England in almost half a century.
In addition, England must do without Ryan Sidebottom, who has been ruled out with a hip problem, while Chris Tremlett is also suffering with a heel injury. Paul Collingwood will be in the middle of his 4-match ban and will be unavailable as well.
With England's last 15 one-day outings having brought only five wins South Africa are favourites to win the five-match ODI series which follows on from Wednesday. Nonetheless, with Flintoff getting back in the groove following his Scottish figures of 3-21 England have everything to play for.
Pietersen has meanwhile promoted Owais Shah to number three in the one-day team's batting order - although the rain in Edinburgh precluded the Middlesex batsman from getting an early chance to shine.
"Owais is going to bat at number three for the simple fact that I think he was wasted at number seven," explained Pietersen. "He's a high-scoring, quick-scoring cricket player who plays cricket shots to get boundaries and I think down the order he was wasted.
Pietersen has also pushed the recalled Matt Prior to the top of the batting order and, while it was Flintoff who caught the eye with Monday's three wickets, the skipper said that his overall strategy was now starting to fall into place.
"It's key now to identify players and roles in the team. I've identified how I want to play and it's a case of getting the confidence in the players to do what they need to do and that's what I'm prepared to do.
Meanwhile, South Africa will see the back of Herschelle Gibbs. Albie Morkel has been ruled out with a shoulder injury but brother Morne should play despite a niggling sidestrain injury. ODI specialists like JP Duminy, Vernon Philander and off spinner Johan Botha are also going to be part of the mix.
Teams:
South Africa (From): Graeme Smith(c), Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Jean-Paul Duminy, Mark Boucher(w), Vernon Philander, Johan Botha, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini, Justin Lee Ontong, Albie Morkel, Hashim Amla, Andre Nel
England (From): Ian Bell, Matthew Prior(w), Owais Shah, Kevin Pietersen(c), Ravinder Bopara, Andrew Flintoff, Luke Wright, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Tim Bresnan, Samit Patel, Stephen Harmison, Ryan Sidebottom, Paul Collingwood, Alastair Cook, Chris Tremlett
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