After five days of rope jumping, swimming, gymming, a few net sessions and more jumping, England finally get their competitive juices flowing with some game time against the Diamond Eagles in Bloemfontein on Friday.
As tours go these days, don't expect any over-exertion from England. They're here for nearly three months and have two T20 internationals, five one-day internationals and four Tests against South Africa, which are of much more pressing concern.
Much like South Africa, England's one-day squad is also going through something of a rebuilding phase, and the new strategies will form a part of their play.
Friday's match, and Sunday's one against the Warriors in Kimberley, will be all about acclimatising to local conditions.
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Skipper Andrew Strauss and coach Andy Flower will also want youngsters like Joe Denley, Eoin Morgan and Adil Rashid to get some miles in their legs early on.
South Africa will probably have some spies out in the Free State capital. Right at the forefront is Ryan McLaren, who will get a first-hand look at the tourists before joining the South African squad for the Zimbabwe series.
The Eagles will provide England with the a stern examination of their credentials at the start of the tour.
Friday's match, a 50-over encounter, starts at 2.30pm.
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This article was originally published on page 20 of The Star on November 06, 2009
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