A closer-than-expected battle saw England take the cake with a 2-1 victory in the five-Test series. While South Africa battled to maintain their momentum over a span of five days, one-day cricket is a different cup of tea and the limited-overs series might well prove to be yet another encounter of the close kind. England, despite being on a high after their rare success in forty years, have injury niggles that threaten to render them half as ineffective as they were in the Tests. For South Africa, it will be a test of their mettle, after being dealt with an ignominious defeat, albeit while fielding a very inexperienced raw group of players. Given Graeme Smith's rather assertive approach, the loss would have still hurt deep and he will hope to make amends.

Andrew Flintoff's ankle injury is definitely a big blow to the England team as they prepare for the seven-match one-day series. But the visitors have wisely chosen to retain Matthew Hoggard and Simon Jones in a bid to outsmart the South African batsmen like they did in the Test series. That move could still pay off huge dividends despite the fact that South Africa, freed of the need to defend, may actually go on the offensive against the England attack during the shorter version of the game. James Anderson's poor form may just give the limelight to another fine prospect in Kabir Ali. Kevin Pieterson is another fine prospect who outshone his more experienced colleagues in the series against Zimbabwe. Ian Bell is yet another valid option. Pieterson and Bell led England's preparations from the front in the warm-up match against South Africa 'A' at Kimberly. Alex Wharf and Gareth Batty may have a look in as well. Steve Harmison's calf injury is being closely watched, but considering his form this series, England may not miss his services that much, unless of course, he dramatically improves.

Lance Klusener and Alan Dawson may have lost favour with the South African team selection, but that has made way for Charl Langeveldt, who has tasted considerable success against the England batsmen. A surprise package is the return of Adam Bacher after no less than seven years, perhaps in a bid to bolster the side. It can be looked upon as a gamble. But the chopping and changing that Smith was not too happy about in the Tests may still persist as the team is struggling to find balance. The batting line-up may also be tweaked, the last Test being a case in point. AB de Villiers, one of South Africa's finest prospects, has been included in the one-day squad, but was rested from the South Africa 'A' game. It will be interesting how he is made to fit in the one-day scheme of things, and if Graeme Smith continues to bat down the order like he did in the Tests after suffering a concussion during the fourth Test at Cape Town. Lots of permutations and combinations will be a headache, as has been the case with South Africa in recent months. Their gameplan will revolve around confidence, and how much of it Smith and Jennings are able to instill. England hold the edge with greater experience and a more stable line-up. But then, if everything were so predictable, one-day cricket would not have its zillion audience. Let the fiesta begin.