Sides seek World Cup momentum

Friday, January 16
Start time 1330 local (1130 GMT)

Play time is over and it's down to business as both teams begin their final journey on the road to the World Cup.

For South Africa, it is the culmination of something which began six months ago when they started intense preparation for the tournament. They hoped by the time this series came around, they would be able to field their full World Cup squad to give them a dummy run - or five - ahead of the event. But one of the most important members of that outfit is unavailable so the perfect practice will not happen.

Quinton de Kock, although recovering well from an ankle ligament tear, will not feature in the series, which leaves South Africa with a stand-in opening batsman and gloveman. They are likely to be Rilee Rossouw and AB de Villiers, although Morne van Wyk could fill both roles if required.

In all other departments South Africa are at full strength but not fully settled. JP Duminy's return will require some rejigging in the line-up while they still need to consider the composition of the lower order. The time for experimentation is not completely over for the hosts, but this is their last chance to come up with a formula that works.

South Africa may not be comfortable with that level of uncertainty but West Indies will be envious of it, especially as for them, this series is about starting over. Their most recent ODI outing was the abandoned tour of India and the aftermath of that walkout is being strongly felt. There is a new captain in place and a significant senior core missing but for an outfit used to operating on the fringes of crisis, that may not be so bad after all.

South Africa LLLWL
West Indies LLWWW

JP Duminy spent more two months out of cricket rehabilitating from a chronic knee condition but if you saw the first ball he faced on his return, you would never have guessed it. He hit Dwayne Bravo high over his head for six. That kind of shot is what South Africa's middle order was missing for the time Duminy was out of action, when they lost 4-1 to Australia. His bowling will also come in handy, especially if South Africa are looking for variety.

A month before the World Cup may not be the ideal time to begin your captaincy career but that is what Jason Holder has to do. He takes over from Bravo at a difficult, but crucial, time for West Indies cricket. The isolation of some of their highest-profile players means the team will have to rely on more than just big reputations but it also affords them the opportunity to band together before a major tournament. How Holder, who is just 23, oversees that process will be closely watched as West Indies plan for the future.

South Africa will look for a makeshift opener to fill in for the still-recovering de Kock, with Rossouw the likeliest candidate to fill in. That will also ensure there is space for both Farhaan Behardien and David Miler, despite Duminy's return. De Villiers confirmed he will take the gloves for now but may not want to do it in all five games. The first-choice attack should be fired up and ready to go after a break from the T20s.

South Africa: (possible) 1 Hashim Amla, 2 Rilee Rossouw, 3 Faf du Plessis 4 AB de Villiers (capt, wk), 5 JP Duminy 6 Farhaan Behardien, 7 David Miller, 8 Vernon Philander, 9 Dale Steyn 10 Morne Morkel, 11 Imran Tahir

Chris Gayle took part in training and should return to the top of the order after being rested from Wednesday's T20 with a long-standing back issue. If he is unable to play, Lendl Simmons will have to fill in. Without Darren or Dwayne Bravo, an extra batsman may have to be found in Leon Johnson but West Indies should have a decent pack available to them with Jerome Taylor and Sulieman Benn both back.

West Indies: (possible) 1 Chris Gayle/Lendl Simmons, 2 Dwayne Smith, 3 Marlon Samuels, 4 Leon Johnson, 5 Andre Russell, 6 Denesh Ramdin (wk), 7 Darren Sammy, 8 Jason Holder (capt), 9 Jerome Taylor, 10 Sulieman Benn, 11 Sheldon Cottrell

On the evidence of the T20, this surface is not for the fast or furious. Slower balls and cutters proved the most effective weapon while run-scoring required more discipline than flashiness. Similar can be expected for the ODI. There are some thundershowers forecast in the morning but they should clear to allow for a full game.

"I still feel we will be the best team at the World Cup and I can't wait to go there."
After South Africa were beaten 1-4 in Australia AB de Villiers said he thought they were the better side and he stuck to that, and went one further, ahead of this series.

"I want to be quite positive in what I do. It's about gaining the confidence and belief in my players. First on my agenda is trying to get the players on my side."
Winning over his own men is what Jason Holder will think about before turning his attention to the opposition.