'A good chance to dent the Tigers'

Bangladesh opener Imrul Kayes had said on Tuesday that he had never faced a line of attack that consisted of sustained short balls at the body like that unleashed by the likes of Kagiso Rabada and Duanne Olivier in the second Test which ended inside three days with an innings and 254-run win for South Africa on Sunday. Imrul had also said that the pacers will not be so vicious in ODIs and he hoped that the pitches for the one-day series, the practice match for which against a South Africa Invitational XI will take place today from 2:00pm (Bangladesh time) at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein, will be flatter because 'they [South Africa] also want to score runs'.

There are a few factors that make those hopes a little unrealistic. The pitches for the two Tests in Potchefstroom and Bloemfontein were flat by all accounts and the bounce in Bloemfontein is pretty much what you can expect from flat South African wickets. And as far as scoring runs for the home side goes, South Africa have scored 496 for three and 573 for four in the first innings of both Tests, so it is doubtful they will be looking for much more of an improvement surface-wise.

"I think there will be a bit of it [short bowling]," said South Africa Invitational XI skipper and veteran South Africa batsman JP Duminy when informed of Imrul's words. "Obviously the format's changed so the strategy will be changed accordingly. But there will be definitely some sort of plan after watching the Test series according to the opposition's strength and weaknesses."

As for the plans for today's match, Duminy -- who has recently retired from Test and first-class cricket – is looking to carry on from the work done in the Tests. "This is a great opportunity for the invitational team to dent Bangladesh. They must be low on confidence after a 2-0 loss.  It's important for us to put up a performance."

He said Shakib Al Hasan's return for the ODI leg will definitely be a boon for the beleaguered tourists. "No doubt it will be a big boost for Bangladesh as Shakib returns in the shorter formats. Obviously they missed Shakib in the Tests. He is a big player for them and a match-winner.

"I certainly do believe the series will be tougher for us to win against Bangladesh compared to the Test series.  From the one day perspective, Bangladesh have really stepped up their game recently. And we have to play well to beat them."

Today will also mark the return to the international fold of AB de Villiers as the batting maestro will play the warm-up in preparation for his first match in national colours since the T20I series in England in June.