England, South Africa Fights for No.1

Southampton: Persistent rainfall in Cardiff limited the action to just 33 balls in the first ODI, as England retained their No. 1 ranking by virtue of a no-result.

The Proteas' One-Day International unit have used the lull between ODI's to prepare more efficiently, ahead of the second match of the Natwest series against England in Southampton. Proteas captain, AB de Villiers feels the abandoned first match gave the majority of the Test players an extended period to ease into the limited overs format after the euphoria of the Test victory.

South Africa has only played one match at the Ageas Bowl, and have fed off the experience of former batsmen Neil Mckenzie, who plays for the home team the Hampshire Royals. De Villiers expects slightly different conditions to those in Cardiff, with statistics suggesting an even incline towards batting or bowling at the toss.

Albie Morkel and Dale Steyn are still unavailable for selection after failing to recover from the injuries which kept them out of the line-up for the first ODI. Morkel is struggling with a left ankle impingement injury and Steyn is still recovering from a stiff neck, they are both being carefully managed with the ICC World T20 starting in three weeks.

On otherhand, England despite Jonny Bairstow's T20 pyrotechnics, England seem unlikely to ditch Ravi Bopara, who returned to the side at Cardiff after time off for personal issues. Bopara's form is a question mark, however, and he was released to get some batting practice for Essex in the CB40 today. Samit Patel may return at the expense of Chris Woakes if England want a second spin option.

Teams from:

England: Alastair Cook (captain), Ian Bell, Jonathan Trott, Ravi Bopara, Eoin Morgan, Craig Kieswetter (wk), Tim Bresnan, Chris Woakes, Graeme Swann, Steven Finn, James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Jade Dernbach, Samit Patel.

South Africa: Hashim Amla, Graeme Smith, Dean Elgar, AB de Villiers (captain & wk), Jean-Paul Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Ryan McLaren, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Morne Morkel, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Imran Tahir, Albie Morkel, Dale Steyn, Justin Ontong

Pitch and conditions
A similar track is perhaps to be expected at West End, though England made 288 against West Indies at the ground earlier this summer and with a bright, clear forecast, batsmen shouldn't fare too badly.

Stats and trivia

• If South Africa win today match they will become the first team to hold the No. 1 position in all three formats.
• Ian Bell has made his two ODI hundreds - both scores of 126 - at the ground.
• AB de Villiers currently averages 158.33 as captain/wicketkeeper of South Africa's ODI side.

Match facts
Tuesday August 28, 2012 (day/night)
Start time 1pm local (1200 GMT)