Tight series in store

The stage, the cast and the mission remain the same, but the production takes on a complete transformation.

Through the window go white clothing, red balls, white sightscreens and several orthodox tactics the purists relish.

In come coloured uniforms, white balls, black sightscreens and methods of run-scoring that might not be found in cricket manuals.

The five-match Test series between West Indies and South Africa is over and the attention switches to the series of seven One-Day Internationals starting here today.

The emotion that gripped Sabina Park on Monday in the midst of Courtney Walsh's final Test appearance and the West Indies' first Test win since June is certain to disappear, but it doesn't mean there will be a shortage of excitement.

And if the preceding Test series can be used as a guide, one can expect a similarly competitive showdown in the shorter matches.

The two sides have had just a few days to rest and recuperate following 25 days of absorbing cricket spread over two months, and neither had any extended preparation in the abbreviated form of the game in the build-up to this series.

West Indies did not have any match practice at all, while South Africa engaged Jamaica in a 50-overs-a-side match three days ago. Neither side, however, is complaining.

We've been on the road for a little while. We had five Test matches, all going down to the wire and the guys deserved a little break before coming into seven One-Dayers, West Indies captain Carl Hooper responded when asked if there was a need for a more extensive warm-up.

It was a view echoed by his opposite number, Shaun Pollock.

We played so much cricket on this tour and the one warm-up match was perfect, he said.

But he did admit it is a bit of a challenge to adjust to the demands of the limited-overs game in such a short period.

It is part and parcel of international cricket these days, Pollock said. We do it all the time back home.

South Africa boast of an incredible recent limited-overs record that is highlighted by ten wins in their last 11 matches, while the West Indies' is not so encouraging.

In fact, since the 1999 World Cup, South Africa's record is 31 wins against 16 defeats in 49 matches. On the other hand, West Indies lost 27 matches in that period and won 16 times in 45 encounters.

Hooper, however, is drawing on the experience of three years ago on their tour of South Africa even though the West Indies lost the series 6-1.

There were a number of One-Day games that were very, very close, he said. We were more competitive in the One-Day games than in the Test matches.

His positive outlook also stems from the fact that the West Indies almost matched South Africa in the recent Test series which the visitors won 2-1.

We were competitive in the Test matches and hopefully we can take the last Test win into the One-Day series. It should be competitive and I expect the series to be a close one.

Hooper was certain that he knew what was required to be just as effective over the next few weeks.

The only concern we have is being able to put all three aspects of our game together to have a good, disciplined performance.

That's what has been lacking in the past and hopefully we'll try to get it right, Hooper said.

Both sides have welcome additions who are ideally suited to this type of cricket.

The West Indies have brought in Ricardo Powell, the big-hitting Jamaican who strikes the ball as hard as anyone in the game today. Also included is Antiguan seamer Kerry Jeremy, for his second One-Day International following his debut in Kenya last September.

South Africa have an even more celebrated player. Jonty Rhodes, now retired from Test cricket, is still arguably the finest cover fielder in the world and his worth is boosted by his busy middle-order batting and slick running between the wickets.

Pollock reckoned it was vital that his side open with a victory.

The first match of a series is always important. It's nice to try and get up in it and try and set the tone for the rest of the series, he said.

All-round depth is the key for South Africa.

We've got a very balanced side. We bat all the way down and we've got a lot of guys who can contribute with the ball, Pollock said.

That's been our strength: the fact that we have guys contributing in all different areas.