Pollock misses opening match

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South Africa go into the first of three one-dayers against Zimbabwe at the Wanderers without Shaun Pollock and with Andre Nel and Graeme Smith both sweating on last-minute fitness tests. Pollock ruled himself out on Thursday after an ankle injury failed to respond to treatment.

Smith admitted that he was less than fully fit - he is also suffering from an injured ankle - but was confident of making the side. "We're struggling to work out exactly what the problem is," he shrugged, "but it's pretty much certain that I'll play in all three matches in the series." Nel, meanwhile, reported back from domestic duty with a hamstring strain.

South Africa have other problems to ponder, the main one being who will open with Smith now that Herschelle Gibbs appears to have settled into a position lower down the order. "We've got a few options, and it's important that we stabilise that position," Smith said. "I think once we decide on someone, we should let him have a bit of a run. Adam Bacher, AB de Villiers and Jacques Rudolph are all in the frame."

Zimbabwe's headaches concern form more than fitness. Since the split which followed the sacking of Heath Streak last April, they have won just two out of 22 ODIs - and both those victories came against Bangladesh last month in a 2-3 series defeat.

Friday's day-nighter is followed on Sunday by the second match, at Durban, with the third one at Port Elizabeth next Wednesday. The one-day series is followed by two Test matches.