England captain Michael Vaughan won the toss and elected to bat against South Africa in the triangular series day/night one-day international at Old Trafford here Thursday.
Earlier South Africa captain Graeme Smith was passed fit after sustaining a shoulder injury while fielding in the Proteas’ 46-run triangular win over Zimbabwe at Canterbury on Sunday.
In the only change to that side, South Africa called up Charl Langeveldt for his first game of the tournament in place of fellow fast-medium bowler Alan Dawson.
England, whose previous triangular match against Zimbabwe at Headingley on Tuesday was a washed-out no result, made one change to their side.
Worcestershire pace bowler Kabir Ali, who was given his one-day international debut at Headingley but because of the rain never got on the field, was replaced by left-arm spinner Ashley Giles on an Old Trafford pitch known for assisting slow bowlers.
Vaughan said on Wednesday he would move down a place in the batting, from three to four, in a bid to boost the team’s inexperienced middle-order which has struggled so far in the tournament.
England and Zimbabwe are three points ahead of South Africa, who have played two matches to their opponents’ three, after they each received three points for Tuesday’s washout. – Sapa-AFP