Rusty South Africa aim to find top gear

	Dale Steyn will pose a major danger to Bangladesh during the one-day series © AFP

Match facts

November 7
Start time 14.30 (1230 GMT)

Big Picture

With a little more composure Bangladesh could have claimed the Twenty20 in Johannesburg, but some rash strokeplay and desperate running proved their downfall. It's likely to be a similar story in the longer one-day game. Bangladesh will have their moments - be it through the flourishing strokes of Tamim Iqbal and Mohammad Ashraful or nagging left-arm spin of Abdur Razzak - but won't have the skill to maintain it through a whole match. The frustration is they have shown they can do it when their minds are switched one, notably against New Zealand last month, but their development remains a slow process.

South Africa are still trying to brush off the early-season rust, especially among the quick bowlers, but the return of Dale Steyn gives the attack a much more menacing appearance. The top-order will have to do without the dropped Herschelle Gibbs and Graeme Smith's elbow is taking time to recover, but the batting line-up still packs plenty of punch. It's a good chance for the likes of Hashim Amla, Justin Ontong and JP Duminy to show they can carry the South African side forward. One major incentive for them; they need to win 3-0 to maintain their No. 2 ranking.

Form guide (last 5 ODIs, most recent last)

South Africa LLNWW
Bangladesh LLWLL

Watch out for

Dale Steyn He had a slightly delayed entry to the season, but looked lean and mean during the Twenty20. The Bangladesh batsman had a brief taste of what they can expect for the rest of the tour, and weren't comfortable against the short stuff. A few more one-dayers is just what he needs to find top gear

Tamim Iqbal He doesn't deal in defensive shots. Tamim is a huge talent but hasn't yet learned the restraint to go with it. There are times when a nudged single or forward defence are just as valuable as a flashing boundary. If he can marry the two areas together there is a classy opener in the making.

Abdur Razzak South Africa struggled to get him away during the Twenty20 and the spin department will be one of Bangladesh's trump cards in the ODIs. The home side are not always at their best against spin so Razzaq's role in the middle overs will be crucial.

Team news

South Africa will be forced to change their opening pair again after Herschelle Gibbs was dropped for breaking team curfew. Justin Ontong is likely to be given a chance at the top with Graeme Smith still not fully fit, while Jacques Kallis returns after missing the Twenty20. Mark Boucher will take back the keeping gloves from AB de Villiers.

South Africa (probable) Hashim Amla, Justin Ontong, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Mark Boucher (wk), Albie Morkel, Johan Botha (capt), Morne Morkel, Johann Louw, Dale Steyn

Bangladesh make one change with Mashrafe Mortaza brought back into the pace attack after missing the Twenty20.

Bangladesh (probable) Tamim Iqbal, Junaid Siddique, Mohammad Ashraful (capt), Raqibul Hasan, Shakib Al Hasan, Naeem Islam, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mashrafe Mortaza, Abdur Razzak, Shahadat Hossain, Syed Rasel

Pitch & conditions

Potchefstroom has the reputation for being a batsman's ground, but because matches here usually involve a lower-ranked team it can also produced small team totals. The seamers may find some extra help when the floodlights come on and the daytime is set to be warm and sunny, with an outside chance of a thunderstorm brewing up later on.

"Graeme's coming on unbelievably well. He's getting frustrated and wants to be involved but Shane [Jabaar, team physiotherapist] has him on a pretty strict rehabilitation programme."
Mickey Arthur explains that Graeme Smith is close to a return

"Obviously we are disappointed. We had a very good scope to start the tour on a winning note but handed the game to South Africa. We tried to slog when proper cricket shots and scoring at a run a ball would have taken us home easily."
Ashraful rues a lost opportunity in the Twenty20