Low-key series is high-profile for the wrong reasons

Tatenda Taibu is back for Zimbabwe to face South Africa © AFP

It is David versus Goliath when Zimbabwe square up against South Africa in the first one-day international at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. South Africa are ranked second in the world while Zimbabwe, for years ranked number nine, have slumped to number 11. The odds are heavily stacked against Zimbabwe - they have only prevailed twice over their neighbours in 24 outings with South Africa winning 21 times.

While the game is thriving in South Africa, it is not the same on the other side of Limpopo River. Zimbabwe, known for their competitiveness in the 50-over game, have become the laughing stock of international cricket and it is hard to imagine them beating South Africa. It is imperative, though, for the home side to be competitive in this series, which also serves as their only preparation for the Twenty20 World Championship next month.

It is still not clear who will do battle for Zimbabwe on Wednesday. Indications had been that the same side that played in the last four-day match against South Africa A will take the field but that might not be the case. Sean Williams could find himself thrown into the fray after recovering from a back injury sustained while playing for Zimbabwe A in a first-class match against the South African Academy.

Hamilton Masakadza did well against India A and South Africa A and, considering that Zimbabwe do not have any specialists in any form, that should be enough to secure him a place in the starting line-up. Vusumuzi Sibanda was inconsistent in the recent A-team matches but has a good record in one-day cricket and is unlikely to be sacrificed. That leaves Brendan Taylor as the likely candidate for the axe after his poor display against South Africa.

Former captain and wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu has a guaranteed place in the starting line-up together with Stuart Matsikenyeri and allrounder Elton Chigumbura, who is back bowling again. Christopher Mpofu and Gary Brent seem likely to take the new ball with either Tawanda Mupariwa or Edward Rainsford taking up the last slot. Offspinner Prosper Utseya should form the slow bowling attack with left-arm spinner Keith Dabengwa.

For South Africa, coach Mickey Arthur revealed at the pre-match press conference that Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Gulam Bodi are the players to miss out. Captain Graeme Smith, who missed his team's tour of Ireland in June, makes a return and is set to open the batting with Loots Bosman. Arthur said Herschelle Gibbs has a slight injury but should take up his place in the top order with JP Duminy and AB de Villiers.

Vernon Philander gets another opportunity to prove his worth as an allrounder after his excellent performance in Ireland. Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini spearhead the bowling attack with Johan van der Wath, Albie Morkel and off spinner Thandi Tshabalala.

Zimbabwe (probable) Prosper Utseya (capt), Sean Williams, Tatenda Taibu (wk), Hamilton Masakadza, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Elton Chigumbura, Keith Dabengwa, Gary Brent, Christopher Mpofu, Tawanda Mupariwa.

South Africa Graeme Smith (capt), Loots Bosman, Jean-Paul Duminy, AB de Villiers (wk), Herschelle Gibbs, Vernon Philander, Albie Morkel, Shaun Pollock, Johan van der Wath, Makhaya Ntini, Thandi Tshabalala.