India's new-look team can expect to be given a thorough examination by South Africa in a five-match one-day series, which starts in Hyderabad Wednesday, reports BBC. The home side are fresh from a 6-1 win over Sri Lanka but South Africa are the form team in one-day cricket this year. They are unbeaten in their last 19 games, just two short of the record held by Australia. But the absence of Herschelle Gibbs and Nicky Boje could have a major impact on their chances of breaking it. The two players were left out of the tour squad after police refused to give a guarantee that they would not be arrested in connection with a match-fixing inquiry dating back to South Africa's tour five years ago. "Herschelle and Nicky are seasoned players, but their absence gives young players a chance to establish themselves in the side," said captain Graeme Smith. South Africa's run of success, which includes 16 victories, a tie and two no results, is all the more remarkable because in the previous 13 matches they managed to win only one. The tourists have taken a gamble by including three spinners in their squad, one of whom, Johan Botha, is new to international cricket, and the other two, Robin Peterson and Justin Ontong, have been unable to establish a regular place when given previous opportunities.
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