Big guns return as battle royal begins (Preview)

After sharing honours in the two-match Twenty-20 series that gave both teams an opportunity to test their bench strength, South Africa and Australia extend their rivalry to the ODI format. The two Twenty-20 matches didn’t witness kind of intense cricket that one normally associates with the two teams.

Expect a intense contest between the two sides in the ODI’s, though. For big guns return to the either side boosting the chances of top quality cricket in the five match series that starts with a day and night game at centurion.

The home side will be strengthened by return of ace all-rounder Jacques Kallis and spearhead of bowling attack Dale Steyn. While Kallis gives stability , and, more importantly, flexibility to the setup, paceman Steyn injects teeth to the attack. With regular skipper AB de Villiers yet to recover from finger injury, Hashim Amla continues to be at the helm of affairs in the ODI series as well.

For Australia, skipper Michael Clarke, his processor Ricky Ponting and ever reliable Michael Hussey are back to make batting a strong unit. The team management is sweating on getting Shaun Marsh and all-rounder Shane Watson fit before the series gets underway. Both of them sustained injuries in the twenty-20 series. With the duo doubtful starters, Australia have been prompted to direct their t-20 skipper Cameron White to continue his stay with the squad.

Barring its failure to defend world cup early this year, Australia have had terrific record in ODI cricket. So much so Aussies to the ODI rankings, and, post world cup debacle have won ODI series in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

After surmounting Sri Lankan challenge, Clarke’s men will know South Africa will offer stiffer competition, more so playing in their own den. With likes of Ponting, Hussey, Watson and Clarke himself in terrific form in this format, a real battle between Australian batters and the home team pace attack is on cards.

Australia are relatively young bowling lineup, though. Struggling for form and wickets Mitchell Johnson is the only senior men in the attack after Bret Lee was ruled out. The left arm pacer needs to come to the party and mentor young pacers in the side. The visitors, however, have some quality young fast bowlers to rely upon. None as deadly and talented as 18-year old Pat Cummins. The teenage sensation has been touted as the next big thing in Australian cricket, and, lived upto the billing in the handful of games that he has played in thus far.

The hosts South Africa, for whom the series will be the first ODI assignment post world cup debacle six months ago, can claim that they match their opponents in each department of the game. In skipper Amla and Graeme Smith, the hosts posses one of the world’s most solid opening pairs. Kallis brings in clam and experience, Jean Paul Dumminy cheekiness and youngster Faf de Plessis’ bubble and bundles of talent to the batting unit.

Having leggie Imran Tahir and experienced Johan Botha in their ranks, South Africa have clear edge over their counterparts and should feel the twenty overs from the duo will play a crucial role in the series. The home side has a very potent pace attack that can rattle any batting unit.

The series marks return of wicketkeeper Mark Boucher to the ODI fold after being dropped for world cup. The seasoned campaigner would make comeback count.With Centurion known for offering seam and swing movement under lights, toss could prove to be a crucial factor.

South Africa: Hashim Amla, Johan Botha, Mark Boucher, Imran Tahir, Jean Paul Dumminy, Faf de Plessis, Jacques Kallis, Dale Steyn, Wayne Parnell, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Robin Peterson, Graeme Smith, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

Australia: Michael Clarke, Shane Watson, Doug Bollinger, Pat Cummins, Xavier Doherty, Brad Haddin, Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, James Pattinson, Steve Smith, David Warner, Cameron White.