South African Parnell in Indian court over drugs

South African cricketer Wayne Parnell, who faces drug charges over a late-night party last year following an Indian Premier League (IPL) game, surrendered to a Mumbai court on Monday, reports said.

Parnell, who is in India as part of the Pune Warriors squad for the ongoing 2013 IPL season, was later granted bail on a bond of 10,000 rupees ($185), the Press Trust of India news agency said.

Parnell and Indian cricketer and Pune team-mate Rahul Sharma were among nearly 100 people detained for medical testing at an upmarket hotel in Mumbai last May which was raided by police who found drugs on the premises.

Parnell, who left India after the medical examination, has denied any wrongdoing.
The local Juhu police station officer in charge of the case was unavailable for comment.

Left-arm paceman Parnell, 23, has played three Tests, 27 one-dayers and 17 T20 games for South Africa. He has yet to play in the IPL this year.

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Lions clinch South African T20 trophy

Highveld Lions turned the tables on the Titans Sunday to win the South African Twenty20 Challenge final by 30 runs at the Wanderers.

The Titans won the decider between the same franchises last season and entered this final as favourites after a recent run of mini-league phase victories, including a narrow one over the Lions.
After the Lions posted 155-5 off 20 overs with young Quinton de Kock (44) and veteran Neil McKenzie (39) the main contributors to the total, many suporters at the Wanderers feared it might not be sufficient for success.
The Titans started superbly and reached 40 without loss within four overs, but the run rate slowed and the wickets started to fall with only Herschelle Gibbs (22) and David Wiese (21) making meaningful knocks.
Chris Morris, Sohail Tanvir, Aaron Phangiso, Hardus Viljoen and Imran Tahir took two wickets each for the Lions, who celebrated wildly when the last wicket was captured.
Both finalists qualify for the lucrative 2013 Champions League with the Lions hoping to go one step further this year after losing the last final by 10 wickets to the Australian Sydney Sixers at the Wanderers

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Pune coach Donald wants players to help each other

Pune' head coach Allan Donald wants his players to "help each other out" and create a "relaxed environment" within the team in the upcoming T20 Cricket League (T20-League).

The cash-rich T20 league has not been a good experience for the most expensive franchise in the event, with the side finishing near or at the bottom in the last two editions, which prompted the management to elevate Donald from bowling coach to head coach this year.

"You just can't be pleasing cricketers for the sake of it. I just want the guys to be part of the team and helping each other out. The care factor for me is huge. I want the guys to look after each other. That creates that relaxed environment that I talk about," Donald said.

"That's pretty much what I look for. How we gel as a team, how we grow as a team and how we care as a team is going to be the key for us."

Terming his new role "intimidating" in a tournament that moves "at a million miles per hour", the former South Africa pace spearhead has urged his players to work as a team.

"I am going to have a meeting with our overseas players to explain their commitment to our cause for the next two months. Every one of those players wants to play. I would be disappointed if I wasn't picked.

"But what is important for Pune is for everyone to be swimming up one stream, (and) not every way and direction like it went last year," Donald was quoted as saying by a cricket website.

"And negativity spreads like cancer. It does because it gets people talking, players talk among each other. And my message to the team is (to) be up front and honest. (This) is going to be the key. I am not here to make anyone promises."

Not many from the list of 23 players were given a long rope last year, leading to disharmony within the team.

"(I) don't think last year was a great example for me. That was my first year, and I felt that at times, we were a bit gung-ho with our selection.

"At times, (we tried) quick fixes, which didn't work. I see that the teams that have been successful in the T20-League have stuck with a certain group of players for a long period of time. And that's what I intend to do.

"Why fix (something) if it's not broken? All coaches and teams are looking for early momentum and confidence, and we have to earn the right to do that first of all.

Donald said he was not very keen on setting a target first up.

"The hard part about this competition is to get your nose in front. I am not looking far ahead. I am not looking at the semi-finals or anything like that.

"I just want to concentrate on every game, and on what we do in every game. If it doesn't work and we go down fighting, so be it. To try and stick to certain processes is the key."

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South Africa rewarded for No 1 Test status

South Africa were officially rewarded for their number one Test status on Thursday after being handed the International Cricket Council Test Championship mace and a cheque for 450 000 dollars.

It is the first time since the current ranking system was introduced in 2003 that South Africa has finished as the number one Test side on the April 1 cut-off date.
The mace was handed to Proteas captain Graeme Smith in a ceremony at the Wanderers.
“I am truly honoured and humbled to receive the ICC Test Championship mace and prize money, not just on behalf of myself, the players and the team management but on behalf of all South Africans,” Smith told reporters.
South Africa are the fourth team after Australia, India and England to hold the mace.
The Proteas have 128 ranking points at the top of the ICC Test Championship, 14 ahead of second-placed England. They are followed by India (112), Australia (110) and Pakistan (104).
South Africa’s next Test match series is against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi in November.

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De Villiers made the difference: Misbah

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq said his opposite number, AB de Villiers, was the difference as South Africa clinched a 3-2 series win in the fifth and final one-day international.

De Villiers hit an unbeaten 95 to guide his side to a six-wicket win after the teams went into the deciding match locked at 2-2.

The South Africa skipper made 367 runs in the series at an average of 91.75 and took both the man of the match and man of the series awards.

De Villiers, who was dropped on one, overcame some hostile bowling on an unpredictable pitch as South Africa chased down Pakistan's 205 all out with six overs to spare.

On a day when most batsmen struggled to time the ball consistently, De Villiers made his runs off just 111 balls, hitting nine fours and a six.

A fourth wicket partnership of 87 off 88 balls with Farhaan Behardien (35) made South Africa's victory virtually certain after Pakistan's new ball bowlers, Mohammad Irfan and Junaid Khan, caused early problems on a pitch where some deliveries bounced alarmingly, while others kept low.

Pakistan seemed headed for a more competitive total when they reached 151 for four in the 35th over after winning the toss.

"It was a 250 pitch and the way we started it was gettable," said Misbah.

The Pakistan captain added that his team had fought back well after being trounced in the Test series.

"The team have got some confidence from the Twenty20 series and the one-day series. We have shown we can perform in these conditions against this quality bowling attack."

Ryan McLaren took three wickets in 13 balls to swing Sunday's match in South Africa's favour.

McLaren had Shoaib Malik caught at midwicket and three balls later, with the last delivery before the batting power play, he had big-hitting Shahid Afridi caught at deep square leg without scoring.

Pakistan's hopes then rested with Misbah who had played a match-winning innings of 80 when Pakistan squared the series at 2-2 with a three-wicket win in Durban on Thursday.

As he had in Durban, Misbah started cautiously and he had scored only 24 runs off 46 balls when he was caught behind to become McLaren's third victim.

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Inform De Villiers guides SA to series win

South Africa beat Pakistan by six wickets in the fifth and final one-day international at Willowmoore Park on Sunday to win the series 3-2.

South Africa captain AB de Villiers hit an unbeaten 95 to help guide his side past Pakistan’s 205 all out.
De Villiers, who was dropped on one, overcame some hostile bowling on an unpredictable pitch as South Africa chased down the Pakistani total with six overs to spare.
Earlier, Ryan McLaren took three wickets in 13 balls to spark a Pakistan collapse.
Pakistan struggled to 205 all out after being reasonably placed at 151 for four in the 35th over handing the initiative to the hosts in the winner takes all match.
McLaren had Shoaib Malik caught at midwicket and three balls later, with the last delivery before the batting power play, he had big-hitting Shahid Afridi caught at deep square leg without scoring.
Pakistan’s hopes then rested with their captain, Misbahul Haq, who had played a match-winning innings of 80 when Pakistan squared the series at 2-2 with a three-wicket win in Durban on Thursday.
As he had in Durban, Misbah started cautiously and he had scored only 24 runs off 46 balls when he was caught behind to become McLaren’s third victim.
McLaren finished with three for 32, with all his wickets coming in a three-over third spell which cost only five runs.
For the first time this season, South Africa fielded their two leading strike bowlers, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, in their one-day international team.
The pair had been rotated during a series against New Zealand and Morkel missed the first four matches against Pakistan because of a hamstring injury.
Although Steyn and Morkel only took one and two wickets respectively, they contributed to a much-improved South African bowling performance.
Despite an innings of 48 off 51 balls by Kamran Akmal, and a third wicket stand of 66 between Akmal and Younis Khan (29) the Pakistanis were unable to dominate the bowling at any stage during their innings after Misbah won the toss and decided to bat.

SCORE IN BRIEF
PAKISTAN: 205 all out in 49.1 overs (Akmal 48, Younis 29, Misbah 24, Malik 28, Junaid 25; Morkel 2-33, McLaren 3-32)
SOUTH AFRICA: 208 for 4 in 44 overs (Amla 22, De Villiers 95 not out, Behardien 35, Miller 20 not out; Irfan 2-38)
Result: South Africa won by six wickets and clinched the five-match series 3-2.

Player-of-the-match: AB de Villiers.
Player-of-the-series: AB de Villiers.

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Smith to miss decisive ODI

South Africa opener Graeme Smith is out of the final one-day international on Sunday after his troublesome left ankle flared up during Pakistan's three-wicket win on Thursday.

The selectors have yet to decide on his replacement for the series decider, a Cricket South Africa statement said on Friday.

"Smith has been given a period of rest and rehabilitation on chronic left ankle injury," it added.

South Africa and Pakistan are level at 2-2 in the five-match ODI series, which serves as a warm-up for the Champions Trophy in England in June.

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Pakistan eye first ODI series win against South Africa

Preview 5th ODI: Pakistan vs South Africa at Benoni on March 24. The match starts at 1.00pm Pst and 100.am local time.

The Scenario

The 5-match ODI series at 2-2. Final match of the series will be played in Benoni on March 24. Pakistan have never win an ODI series against South Africa. Both the teams have played 4 ODI series so far with South Africa winning all. pakistan will be looking to create history by winning the their first ever ODi series against South Africa. Younas Khan, One of the best Pakistan player in the current era, is not in form for a long time in ODIs. It's a big concern for Pakistan that their main player is not in form.

If Misbah give Asad Shafiq or Umar Akmal a chane instead of Younas Khan then it will be a brave and good decision and also will be in favour of Pakistan. Younas is a great player and there is no doubt about that but his form is big concern for Pakistan. Normally teams do not change their winning side but bringing Asad or Umar instead of out of form Younas then it will be a good decision.

Pakistan have bright chances to win the series whereas South Africa is favourite to win the series. The positive thing for Pakistan is that bowled superbly in this series and there is no doubt that he played an important role as Pakistan leveled the series. Muhammad Irfan has taken 9 wickets in 3 matches in this series so far. The only problem Irfan has is that he feels little uncomfortable while bowling 10 overs. Irfan has only once bowled 10 overs and that was against India in last series.

Players To Focus

Shahid Afridi hit form with the bat as he is 2nd leading run-scorer for Pakistan in this series. Shahid Afridi batted in 3 matches and score 126 runs including one quick-fire 88 runs in the 3rd ODI at Durban. The problem is now shifted to Afridi's batting towards his bowling. His performance in the bowling is really below par from last 6 months specailly on this tour. Shahid Afridi hasn't take any wicket in his last 50 overs. Afridi said "The rules of two new balls in an innings & not having more than 4 fielders outside the 30-meter circle made life difficult".

Colin Ingram after scoring century in the opening game of the tour failed badly to score runs. He plays at very crucial postion which is one down. He will be looking to score runs and gain his form. Colin Ingram has scored 122 runs in this series including a century in the opening match. Colin Ingram has two ODi centuries to of which come against Pakistan.

Irfan vs Ingram

Colin Ingram afte scoring century in the opening game was looking a real threwat for Pakistan. Muhammad Irfan hadn't played the first ODI at Bloemfontein. Irfan has taken the wicket of Ingram 3 times in this series. two times Irfan has taken Ingram's wicket on his first ball that he played. The ball on which Irfan had taken Ingram's wicket in 4th ODI was just remarkable. It was a excellent yorker. It is same as Hafeez is struggling against Steyn and now Ingram struggling against Irfan. So it will be a good contest between these two lets see who wins this time!

Conditions

The pitch of the Benoni is likely to be a batting paradise wicket. The nature of the pitch is not fully known. The recent mathes at the Benoni were one-sided games. Pakistan have played only one match at this venue which they lost by 115 runs against Sri Lanka in 1998.

Team Changes

Both the teams are aiming to win the series therefore there won't be many changes. Graem Smith will miss the decider due to ankle injury.

Pakistan is likely to not change their winning side but there are some little chance that Asad or Umar may be included in the final line-up.

Stats and Trivia

No Asian team has ever won an ODI series in South Africa.
South Africa have played 7 ODi matches at Benoni and they have won six mathes.
Younas Khan needs 156 runs to become the highest run-getter for Pakistan against South Africa in ODIs.

Preview by Waqar Asghar

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Farhat, Misbah level series

Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq led his side to a three-wicket win over South Africa in the fourth one-dayer Thursday, setting up a series decider in the final match in Benoni on Sunday.

Misbah made 80 and Imran Farhat scored 93 as Pakistan chased down South Africa’s total of 234 for nine with eight balls to spare.
Misbah and opening batsman Farhat shared a 153-run fourth wicket partnership after Pakistan had been struggling at 33 for three after 11 overs.
The early wickets included that of Mohammad Hafeez, who was given out for obstructing the field in the second over.
He changed direction and was hit on the leg by a throw from South African wicketkeeper and captain AB de Villiers, who was throwing at the stumps at the bowler’s end when Hafeez was several metres out of his ground.
Hafeez was only the fourth batsmen — and the third Pakistani — to be dismissed for obstructing the field in one-day internationals.
Pakistan’s fast bowlers struck early and off-spinner Saeed Ajmal took three crucial middle order wickets as South Africa struggled after winning the toss, despite a fourth wicket stand of 115 between captain De Villiers (75) and David Miller (67).
South Africa’s troubles started early when the tall left-armer Mohammad Irfan took wickets with the first two balls of the match.
He had Hashim Amla caught behind, then bowled Colin Ingram with a yorker.
Fellow left-armer Junaid Khan followed up with the wickets of Graeme Smith and Farhaan Behardien as South Africa slumped to 38 for four after winning the toss.
 
SCORES IN BRIEF
SOUTH AFRICA : 234 for 9 (De Villiers 75, Miller 67, Peterson 25 not out, Kleinveldt 18; Irfan 3-46, Junaid 3-45, Ajmal 3-42)
 
PAKISTAN: 236 for 7 (Farhat 93, Misbah 80, Malik 19 not out 19; Peterson 2-46)
 
Result: Pakistan won by three wickets.
 
Player-of-the-match: Misbahul Haq.

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De Kock replaces Du Plessis

South Africa have called up Quinton de Kock to their squad for the two remaining one-day internationals against Pakistan.

The 20-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman replaces Faf du Plessis, who will rest a lower back problem that has also ruled him out of the first four weeks of the Indian Premier League, where he plays for the Chennai Super Kings.

"Faf has been troubled by low back pain over the past while," Proteas team manager Mohammed Moosajee said in a statement released by Cricket South Africa on Tuesday.

"He was recently diagnosed with bony inflammation in the lumbar spine and a six-week rest period has been advised."

De Kock played in three one-day internationals against New Zealand in January, where he kept wicket in place of AB de Villiers.

Although the left-hander averaged only 25 with the bat with a highest score of 31, he is viewed as the long-term successor to De Villiers with the gloves.

South Africa lead the five-match series against Pakistan 2-1 with matches to come in Durban on Thursday and Benoni on Sunday.

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Amla, de Villiers smash Pakistan

Centuries by Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers set up a 34-run victory for South Africa despite a thrilling innings by Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi in the third one-day international at the Wanderers Stadium on Sunday.

Amla (122) and De Villiers (128) shared a world record third wicket partnership of 238 as South Africa made 343 for five after being sent in.
Pakistan, who were bowled out for 309 to slip 2-1 down in the series, had been in deep trouble when Afridi walked in at 132 for five but he gave his side hope as he thrashed 88 off 48 balls with seven sixes and five fours.
Afridi’s innings included some of the biggest sixes seen at the Wanderers.
One, after he had been bowled off a no-ball, was a mighty hit onto the roof of the four-tier Centenary stand which was last seen bouncing towards an adjacent golf course.
Afridi was yorked by Ryan McLaren when he had 73 but a check requested by umpire Billy Bowden showed the bowler had over-stepped.
McLaren then bowled a wide, which meant Afridi still had a free hit to which he committed all his power.
There was one more six before he hit a full toss from Lonwabo Tsotsobe to McLaren at long-off.
There was still a possibility of a reprieve as the umpires checked whether the full toss was above waist height, which would have meant another no-ball, before confirming the dismissal.
 They beat by one run the previous one-day international third wicket record set by Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar for India against Kenya in 1999, to ensure that Pakistan would have a challenging run chase on a ground renowned for high scoring.

De Villiers was quickly into his stride and the pair posted a fifty partnership off 38 balls.

The rate slowed slightly when Pakistan brought their spin bowlers into action.

After 35 overs the total was 115 but the runs came in a torrent towards the end of the innings. The last 15 overs yielded 156 runs.

Amla and De Villiers shared the man of the match award and both deflected praise to their partner.

South Africa 343/5 (Amla 122, de Villiers 128) beat Pakistan 309 (Afridi 88, Hafeez 57) by 34 runs

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Irfan leads Pakistan to six-wicket victory

Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Irfan took four wickets in a devastating opening spell to set up a six-wicket win in the second one-day international against South Africa on Friday.

Tall left-armer Irfan took a career-best four for 33 in seven overs as South Africa were bowled out for 191 in a match reduced to 44 overs a side.
Pakistan achieved victory with 4.4 overs to spare, captain Misbah-ul-Haq anchoring his side’s chase, making 57 not out.
The win levelled the five-match series at 1-1 after South Africa had cruised to a 125-run win in Bloemfontein last weekend with the third game to be played in Johannesburg on Sunday.
Misbah said Irfan’s bowling had been the key to the win on a pitch with some damp spots which caused uneven pace and bounce.
“We really needed this win. The batsmen are getting their confidence back,” said Misbah.
South Africa crashed to 62 for five under Irfan’s onslaught but recovered to reach 177 for seven after 38.4 overs when a violent thunderstorm struck the ground and caused a stoppage of almost two-and-a-half hours.
South Africa failed to see out the revised quota of 44 overs, losing their last three wickets for 12 runs to be bowled out with four balls to spare.
Farhaan Behardien led the South African fightback, making a measured 58 off 82 balls for his maiden international half-century.
Robin Peterson made 44 and helped Behardien put on 67 for the seventh wicket before Behardien was caught on the midwicket boundary one ball before the stoppage.
Irfan, the tallest player in international cricket, gained steep bounce as he ripped through the South African top order.
He dismissed Hashim Amla and Colin Ingram off successive balls in the fifth over and followed up with the wickets of de Villiers and Faf du Plessis.
After Irfan had made his inroads, slow bowlers Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Hafeez and Shahid Afridi kept the pressure on.
Ajmal took two for 23 and Hafeez two for 35, while Afridi conceded only 24 runs in eight overs.
Pakistan had a brief wobble when they slipped to 69 for three in the 15th over, with Hafeez and Kamran Akmal falling in successive overs.
But Misbah and Younis Khan, the side’s most experienced players, steadied the innings with a fourth wicket partnership of 46 off 67 balls.
Shoaib Malik joined Misbah and they added an unbeaten 77 off 82 deliveries, with Malik contributing an aggressive 35 not out off 75 balls.
Misbah’s 57 runs were made off 75 balls with three fours and three sixes.
 
SCORES IN BRIEF
SOUTH AFRICA: 191 all out in 43.2 overs (Behardien 58, Peterson 44; Irfan 4-33, Ajmal 2-23) v PAKISTAN: 192 for 4 in 39.2 overs ( Misbah 57, Shoaib 35; Peterson 2-52, Steyn 1-29).
 
Result: Pakistan won by six wickets (with 28 balls remaining) (D/L)

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4 newcomers get CSA contracts

South Africa have given national contracts to four new players - Dean Elgar, Rory Kleinveldt, Marchant de Lange and Aaron Phagiso - in a bid to improve the national side's performance, Cricket South Africa announced on Tuesday.





Ryan McLaren was re-awarded a contract after missing out over the last 12 months.

Six players, including retired wicketkeeper Mark Boucher and spinner Johan Botha -- who asked to be released from his contract last October -- dropped off the list.

"This is a very strong group of core players which combines youth and experience across the three formats," selection convener Andrew Hudson said of the final 21 in a statement.

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Ingram ton inspires S Africa

Colin Ingram hit an unbeaten century to set up a comfortable 125-run win for South Africa in the first one-day international against Pakistan at Chevrolet Park on Sunday.

The left-handed Ingram made 105 not out as South Africa piled up 315 for four after being sent in to bat. Pakistan could only make 190 in reply.
Ingram made his runs off 103 balls with ten fours. It was his third one-day international century and his second against Pakistan.
He shared partnerships of 120 for the third wicket with captain AB de Villiers (65), 62 for the fourth wicket with Faf du Plessis (26) and 50 off only 23 balls with Farhaan Behardien, who hammered 34 not out off 14 deliveries.
Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla set an aggressive tone with an opening partnership of 72 after South Africa were sent in, with both batsmen going for their shots against Junaid Khan and Umar Gul despite the Pakistan new ball bowlers getting some early assistance from the pitch.
The South Africans opted for the batting power play immediately after the compulsory first ten overs but lost Smith when he gloved an attempted reverse sweep to be caught behind off Saeed Ajmal, one of four spin bowlers in the six-man bowling attack, for 30.
Amla made 43 before he was caught at deep square leg off Mohammad Hafeez.
De Villiers and Ingram then set South Africa on the way to a big total with a run-a-ball stand during which they kept the score moving quickly against the Pakistan spin bowlers with deft placement and good running between wickets.
Pakistan made a bright start with Mohammad Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed putting on 42 for the first wicket off 43 balls before the suffered a double blow.
Jamshed was caught at slip by Graeme Smith off Rory Kleinveldt for 25 and Hafeez fell for the same score in unlucky fashion when a drive by Younis Khan was deflected by bowler Kleinveldt into the stumps for Hafeez to be run out.
Asad Shafiq fell cheaply and Pakistan were unable to build substantial partnerships with captain Misbahul Haq top-scoring with 38.
Shahid Afridi hit 34 off 16 balls before he was last man out but his innings was never likely to alter the outcome. Afridi hit three sixes, including a massive strike which sailed out of the ground and into a car park.
Kleinveldt, whose first two balls were hit for four, came back strongly to finish with four for 22 in 5.2 overs, while Ryan McLaren took three for 19.
The win gave South Africa a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. The second match will be in Centurion on Friday.
.SCORES IN BRIEF
SOTH AFRICA: 315 for 4 (Smith 30, Amla 43, De Villiers 65, Ingram 105 not out, Du Plessis 26, Behardien 34 not out; Ajmal 2-53)
PAKISTAN: 190 all out (Hafeez 25, Jamshed 25, Younis 30, Misbah 38, Malik 19, Afridi 34; Kleinveldt 4-22, McLaren3-19)
Result: South Africa won by 125 runs.
Player-of-the-match: Colin Ingram.

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Proteas look ahead to Champions Trophy

If South Africa are feeling on top of the world in the Test arena, there is much concern over their one-day international form ahead of the Champions Trophy to be played in England and Wales in June.

The Proteas enter into a five-match home series against Pakistan in Bloemfontein on Sunday searching for a winning formula in the shorter format of the game.

Bar a one-off fixture in the Netherlands in late May, this will be the final preparation for the side ahead of the Champions Trophy.

"This is an important period for the ODI team; I think what is important for us is that we know that we can create some momentum in this team," coach Gary Kirsten told reporters this week.

South Africa lost a three-match home ODI series against New Zealand 2-1 last month, their third home series defeat in their last six encounters against visiting teams.

They did rest key players through the three matches, but worryingly, those who were elevated in their place failed to shine.

It is form that has seen them drop to fourth in the ICC ODI Championship behind India, England and Australia. But Kirsten believes his team have shown enough, even in defeat, to suggest that they can climb that table again.

"We know that with the players that we have got we are able to win games in difficult situations and that is what it ultimately boils down to."

No other Test-playing nation has played in fewer matches than South Africa's 21 in the 50-over format over the last three years.

The likes of India, Australia and Sri Lanka have played almost double that amount. It is in this format of the game where the 'chocker' tag hangs heaviest around their necks, and despite Kirsten's assertion, closing out matches has been their biggest failing.

BEST PLAYERS

The series against New Zealand provided the perfect example, with the side putting themselves into strong winning positions in all three matches, only to come up short in two of those, once with the ball and the other with the bat.

It has been acknowledged by all in the Proteas camp that their ODI form is well short of where they would like it to be.

For a side that sets such high standards in the Test arena, continual failure in the 50-over format is all the more frustrating.

Bar the rested Jacques Kallis, who South Africa are hoping to persuade to give up the shorter formats of the game to prolong his Test career, and the injured JP Duminy, South Africa will enter the series with Pakistan with what they consider their best ODI current selection.

"I think that the players that are here are the best players in the country, that is why they are selected," Kirsten said.

"People often say we are experimenting. We are not experimenting; we are playing the best players.

"You have to have a squad, you can't just have 11, you have to be able to move with the squad. We did that with the Test squad where we had a lot of change-ups. We are looking at the best 18 players knowing that we need to be able to shift and move around."

It is therefore a series that will tell much about their potential and their path forward under the leadership of AB de Villiers, who takes over from Test skipper Graeme Smith in the shorter version of the game.

"We have 20 games on the trot before we play another Test match so we are able to have a good focus on our one-day team," Kirsten added.

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South Africa face Pakistan seeking ODI improvement

Since Gary Kirsten took over as South Africa coach in June 2011 the country’s Test team has risen relentlessly to the top of the International Cricket Council rankings. The performances of the one-day side, though, have been patchy at best.

A five-match series against Pakistan, starting at Chevrolet Park here Sunday, marks a change of focus for the Proteas, who have slipped to fourth place in the rankings for the 50-over format. Pakistan are sixth on a tightly-bunched table.
Of immediate concern for South Africa is the ICC Champions Trophy in England in June, the team’s next major engagement after the Pakistan series.
The country’s consistent failure to win big tournaments is one of the issues that Kirsten has pledged to address.
Although South Africa have a less than stellar one-day record of 10 wins and eight losses under Kirsten, the coach is not over-concerned because the international schedule has dictated an emphasis on five-day cricket.
Nor was he concerned about a lop-sided 95-run defeat in a Twenty20 International at Centurion last Sunday, which he dismissed as a “one-off” game, irrelevant to the one-day challenge.
South Africa were beaten 2-1 at home by New Zealand in their most recent one-day series after winning both Tests against the Black Caps by an innings.
Pakistan shape up as a bigger threat with players such as Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi and the Akmal brothers, Kamran and Umar — all of whom missed their side’s recent 3-0 Test series defeat — adding experience and skill to the squad.
SQUADS
SOUTH AFRICA: AB de Villiers (captain), Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Faf du Plessis, Colin Ingram, Rory Kleinveldt, Ryan McLaren, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Robin Peterson, Aaron Phangiso, Graeme Smith, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.
PAKISTAN: Misbahul Haq (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Nasir Jamshed, Asad Shafiq, Younis Khan, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Khan, Wahab Riaz, Umar Gul, Imran Farhat, Abdur Rehman.
FIXTURES
Mar 10: 1st ODI, Bloemfontein
Mar 15: 2nd ODI, Centurion (D/N)
Mar 17: 3rd ODI, Johannesburg
Mar 21: 4th ODI, Durban
Mar 24: 5th ODI, Benoni

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Pakistan blowed away Proteas

Mohammad Hafeez put a poor Test series behind him to lead Pakistan to a crushing 95-run win in the second and final Twenty20 International against South Africa at SuperSport Park here on Sunday.

Hafeez hammered 86 and took three wickets for 25 runs, while fast bowler Umar Gul took five for six as South Africa collapsed to 100 all out in reply to Pakistan's 195 for seven in what was effectively a series decider after the first match in Durban was washed out.
Appointed Pakistan's captain in the shortest form of the game, Hafeez thrashed four sixes and nine fours off 50 balls and when he reached 73 became the first Pakistani to reach 1,000 runs in the shortest format of the game.
His innings was in dramatic contrast to his struggles in a three-match Test series which ended last week, in which he could score only 43 runs in six innings at an average of 7.16.
A second wicket partnership of 83 off 48 balls with Ahmed Shehzad (46) set Pakistan on target for a massive total but the innings lost momentum when Hafeez was out off the third ball of the 17th over, with the total on 170.
Hafeez slipped as he stepped back in his crease to hit Rory Kleinveldt to the cover boundary and he dislodged his bails.
South Africa made a flying start, with AB de Villiers batting audaciously as the home side reached 48 for one in four overs.
But Gul then took four wickets in six balls, spread across two overs, as the match swung irrevocably in Pakistan's favour.
In between, De Villiers was bowled by Mohammad Irfan for 36, made off 22 balls with two sixes and four fours.

SCORES IN BRIEF
PAKISTAN: 195 for 7 in 20 overs (Hafees 86, Shehzad 46, Afridi 19 not out, Jamshed 13; Kleinveldt 2-27, Morris 2-35)
SOUTH AFRICA: 100 all out in 12.2 overs (De Villiers 36, Kleinveldt 22, Peterson 13; Gul 5-6, Hafeez 3-25)

Result: Pakistan won by 95 runs and clinched the two-match series 1-0.

Player-of-the-match: Mohammad Hafeez.

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Abbott in for Pakistan ODIs

Fast bowler Kyle Abbott, who took nine wickets on his Test debut last week, has been added to South Africa's squad for the one-day international series against Pakistan.

"Morne Morkel's recovery from his hamstring injury is still a work in progress and we consider it prudent to provide extra depth to our fast bowling resources," selection convener Andrew Hudson said in a Cricket South Africa statement on Wednesday.

Morkel's injury also provided Abbott with an initial Test squad call-up and when Jacques Kallis withdrew on the first morning, he was trust into the team.

Abbott's seven for 29 in the first innings was the second best return on debut by a South African and he helped bowl his side to an innings win over Pakistan to complete a 3-0 series whitewash.

The 25-year-old was already in the squad for two T20 internationals on Friday and Sunday. The five-match ODI series starts on March 10.

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Smith salutes best South Africa team

Graeme Smith has been representing South Africa since 2002 and the Test captain believes the current crop of players are the finest of his generation.

Smith's side have a commanding lead at the top of the world rankings after completing a 3-0 Test whitewash of Pakistan on Sunday.

"This is the best team I have played in as a South African cricketer, we have all our bases covered," the skipper told reporters.

"Part of that is the maturity and professionalism with which they approach every match and the pride they put into their performances."

South Africa have won in England, Australia and New Zealand in recent times and beaten Pakistan, Sri Lanka and New Zealand but Smith's hunger has not yet been satisfied.

"There is still more I want to achieve with this side," said the opening batsman who averages 48.62 in 110 Test appearances.

"We want to create a team that plays the game hard but in the right spirit.

"What has been most pleasing about this summer is how clinical we have been, we have never let our intensity drop. That is how we set out to play our cricket."

Of the regular Test line-up, only Jacques Kallis (37), Smith (32) and Alviro Petersen (32) are in their 30s.

Coach Gary Kirsten has urged all-rounder Kallis to give up the shorter formats of the game in order to prolong his test career and that looks likely to happen.

The strength of the first-class domestic competition has helped fuel success for the test side.

When injuries have robbed South Africa of Kallis, Morne Morke, JP Duminy and Vernon Philander, their replacements have excelled.

The latest is Kyle Abbott who returned match figures of nine for 68 on his debut in the victory by an innings and 18 runs over Pakistan in the third test.

"I think the domestic circuit at the moment is the strongest it has been," said the 25-year-old paceman.

"It is credit to the South African system.

"The high performance centre is fantastic and the South African A side has been running really well for the last two or three years. By the time guys reach test level they are ready."

The next challenge for the Test team is a two-match series against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi in November.

"Preparation for Abu Dhabi will be key," Smith said.

"You cannot keep guys at the top of their game for eight months when they are not playing Test cricket so it will be about how we approach the build-up to the series."

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Smith hails ‘special summer’

South Africa completed what captain Graeme Smith described as "a special summer" when they beat Pakistan by an innings and 18 runs on the third day of the third and final Test against Pakistan.

It was South Africa's sixth successive win and extended their unbeaten run to 15 matches.

Both are records for South Africa while Smith also became the first man to achieve 50 Test wins as a captain.

"We spent a long time on the road," Smith said of successive away series wins in New Zealand, England and Australia, which preceded five wins at home -- two against New Zealand and three against Pakistan.

"We wanted to come back and play a really positive brand of cricket in front of our own crowds."

South Africa stretched their lead at the top of the International Cricket Council Test rankings but Smith said the team did not want to become complacent.

"There have been some incredible milestones for myself and the team," said Smith.

"I am just grateful to have achieved something today and to be part of a special group of cricketers who can hopefully go on to achieve a lot more."

Champion fast bowler Dale Steyn took four for 80 as Pakistan were bowled out for 235 in their second innings, an improvement on their first innings total of 156.

Steyn was also responsible for the run-out of Azhar Ali which sparked a collapse of the Pakistan middle order.

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