Pollock and Ntini doubtful for opening game

Shaun Pollock is doubtful for the opening match of the Unitech, which would mean a change of batting order for South Africa © AFP

With the rain pouring down in the morning, South Africa's plans for the first game of the tri series against Sri Lanka were thrown into disarray. Both Shaun Pollock, who has lower back trouble, and Makhaya Ntini, who has a hamstring strain, were scheduled to undergo fitness tests, but the wet and swampy conditions prevented that. At his press conference, Mark Boucher, the South African captain, reckoned that Ntini might just make it, though he was less sure of Pollock.

Pollock was also slated to bat at No.5, and if he doesn't convince the physio by tomorrow morning, Ashwell Prince, who led in the Tests against Sri Lanka is expected to come in. When asked whether the inclusion of Prince might affect the power play strategy, Boucher said: "No, in one-day matches these days, everyone needs to be able to hit the ball out of the ground."

He also preferred not to focus on South Africa's atrocious record in Sri Lanka - one win dating back to 1993. "We have to put that behind us," he said. "We're ranked No.2 and we're proud of that. Our last series win was against the World Champions [Australia], and I think our one-day cricket has certainly taken a step forward.

"We went over to India last year, to play against a team that was in very good form. Everyone wrote us off, but we managed to draw the series [2-2] and even had the opportunity to win it."

Looking ahead to the Sri Lanka game, Boucher said that he expected the toughest of tests. "I've spoken to some of the other senior players as well, and we think that Sri Lanka is the second-toughest place to tour. They're a great team in their own conditions, and they're in very good form."

Boucher added that both his batsmen and bowlers would have to adapt to make the most of conditions that are poles apart from those in the highveld. "The batsmen try to play a positive attacking brand of cricket, and the bowlers have to realise that the area in which they have to land the ball is so much smaller than it is when they're playing at home."

As their performances against India last year, and the famous 3-2 series win against Australia, showed, the team coached by Mickey Arthur are far from being a soft touch. And though injuries have reduced South Africa to outsiders in a three-team race, neither Sri Lanka nor India are likely to make the mistake of taking them lightly.