After a rain-aborted workout against Scotland on Monday at least gave a resurgent Andrew Flintoff the chance to impress, England face South Africa at Chester-le-Street in a Twenty20 International on Wednesday.
The rain ensured England could only enjoy a little fielding practice as, aided by three wickets for Flintoff, they restricted the Scots to 156-9 in Edinburgh before the heavens opened and ended the contest.
But the South Africans will prove a different kettle of fish for Kevin Pietersen and company given that the tourists are fresh from a 2-1 Test series win — their first in England in almost half a century.
In addition, England must do without Nottinghamshire left-arm seam bowler Ryan Sidebottom, ruled out with a hip problem, while Chris Tremlett is also suffering with a heel injury.
After pocketing the final Test, England will now hope to step up their game another notch in the Twenty20 format as South-Africa-born Pietersen leads them through what is a transitional phase just two weeks after he took over the Test side mantle from Michael Vaughan and the one-day responsibilities from Paul Collingwood.
With England’s last 15 one-day outings having brought only five wins, South Africa are favourites to win the five-match one-day international series that follows on from Wednesday.
Nonetheless, with Flintoff getting back in the groove following his Scottish figures of 3-2,1 England have everything to play for.
Pietersen has, meanwhile, promoted Owais Shah to number three in the one-day team’s batting order — although the rain in Edinburgh precluded the Middlesex batsman from getting an early chance to shine.
”Owais is going to bat at number three for the simple fact that I think he was wasted at number seven,” explained Pietersen.
”He’s a high-scoring, quick-scoring cricket player who plays cricket shots to get boundaries and I think down the order he was wasted.
”When he has played for us, he’s always done really well. He got a one-day hundred against India last year and has got runs this year and I am going to give him the confidence to bat at number three with myself at number four.
”I haven’t thought about the Twenty20 side yet but there’s definitely a strong case for Owais getting a good opportunity to bat and play long innings for England.”
Pietersen has also pushed the recalled Matt Prior to the top of the batting order and, while it was Flintoff who caught the eye with Monday’s three wickets, the skipper said that his overall strategy was now starting to fall into place.
”It’s key now to identify players and roles in the team. I’ve identified how I want to play and it’s a case of getting the confidence in the players to do what they need to do and that’s what I’m prepared to do.
”I want to give the guys a good run at it and concentrate on a specific role so when something happens and you need to change, at least I’ve identified the roles the players need to play and they can just slot in and slot out.
”It’s not a case of doing one thing on one day and another thing on another day.” — Sapa-AFP