Can South Africa tame the Aussies?

Get set for an intriguing showdown between South Africa and Australia, this time on South African soil, as the two sides begin a five-match one-day international series, with the first match taking place at Centurion on Sunday.

The last time the two met in one-day contests, South Africa didn't even make the final of the VB Series but home advantage is huge here and Graeme Smith's side will be looking to provide an upset by taking the series.

Not surprisingly, Australia are 2/5 (1.40) favourites for the series win. Not surprisingly, I say, because the last time they actually lost a one-day series since 2002 when they went down at home to Pakistan. The two-time defending World Cup holders, it's easy to see why bet365 make them so strong favourites.

South Africa are 7/4 (2.75) to win the series and though they have to be considered only an outside chance, they will be buoyed by the absence of Glenn McGrath, who is taking time off to be with his sick wife, Jane. His influence will be missed by the Aussies and if South Africa can get a good start then anything is possible.

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The last time the two sides played out a one-day series in South Africa, the Australians won 5-1, and if South Africa are to prosper, they will need their top order to make big runs and that means Graeme Smith, Boeta Dippenaar and Herschelle Gibbs clicking into form.

However, the absence of their best player, Jacques Kallis, is sure to hurt, and also explains why bet365 have three joint favourites at 3/1 (4.00) in the market to be South Africa's top runscorer, with Smith, Dippenaar and Gibbs all sharing favouritism. AB De Villiers is 6/1 (7.00) and Ashwell Prince is 8/1 (9.00), with the talented Mark Boucher and Justin kemp both 9/1 (10.00).

For Australia, captain Ricky Ponting is 5/2 (3.50) and Adam Gilchrist is 3/1 (4.00), while Simon Katich and Andrew Symonds are 5/1 (6.00) and Damien Martyn is an 11/2 (6.50) chance. Don't discount either of the Michaels, Hussey, who is 8/1 (9.00) and Clarke, who is a 9/1 (10.00) bet.

Australia have won 13 of their past 20, while South Africa's record is only marginally worse, with 12 wins from their past 20 matches.