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Durban - The Kingsmead "rain ghosts" could make yet another turn in the South African dressing room in the decisive limited overs match against England.
The Proteas' preparation was washed away for the third consecutive day on Thursday and the forecast for the do or die clash also looks dreary.
The home team must win to avoid their first one day series defeat in eight years after they were beaten by seven wickets by England in Port Elizabeth.
Yet Proteas captain, Graeme Smith, is still hopeful that his team can post victory and avoid their first home series defeat under his leadership.
"It has been raining here non-stop for about three weeks and is definitely not ideal for us," said Smith
"We must however remain positive and the drainage system, like that across the country, is the best that there is."
The Proteas, on the very same Kingsmead, were bundled out of the World Cup in 2003 on a very heartbreaking note, after a miscalculation with the Duckworth-Lewis method.
According to Smith, who will play in his 150th one day international for South Africa, his team can only have themselves to blame for the tight spot which the Proteas find themselves in.
"To play so poorly in Port Elizabeth, while we are aware of the rainy weather over here, is our own fault.
"The best teams never let their own destiny slip out of their control and it is precisely what we depend on now - for the rain to abate and that we are able to play the match," he said
According to him, Mark Boucher will take his place behind the stumps after passing a fitness test.
The wicketkeeper injured himself slightly in Port Elizabeth and has intensively undergone rehabilitation this week with fast bowler, Dale Steyn.
"We will take a final decision with regard to Dale tomorrow morning (Friday morning), but the possibility of him playing does not look good. We are preparing ourselves mentally as if we will play and with the best possible team."
It is no secret that the Proteas management will want a fully fit Steyn for the first Test on 16 December and although he could possibly bowl with this injury, it will definitely hamper his pace and movement.
This means that the Proteas could possibly start with the same team that started in St. George's Park and will hope that Herschelle Gibbs does not mark his return - due to the batting collapse experienced in Port Elizabeth.
The 35-year-old batsmen was called up as replacement to the injured Jacques Kallis a week ago, but has only carried drinks up till now.
Albie Morkel is still in Pretoria after the birth of his first child, which further limit Smith's options.
Andrew Strauss, England's captain, expects South Africa to fight back hard.
"They are always at their most dangerous with their backs against that wall and our biggest challenge will clearly be not to fall into our old habits of inconsistency.
"Till now we, just like South Africa, have played one good match, then a poor one, and it is something that we will have to get rid of in order to get into positions where we can win the series more often.
According to him, Kevin Pietersen is burning to get back into good form in front of his home crowd.
The visitors' talismanic batsmen and South African born could only score 53 runs in the three completed limited overs matches after four months on the injury list and got a warm welcome from the crowd in Centurion, Cape Town and in Port Elizabeth.
"It is not easy to play at your best immediately after such a long rest.
"Kevin cannot wait to get amongst the runs again and he is just too good a player to keep on struggling."
Durban - The Kingsmead "rain ghosts" could make yet another turn in the South African dressing room in the decisive limited overs match against England.
The Proteas' preparation was washed away for the third consecutive day on Thursday and the forecast for the do or die clash also looks dreary.
The home team must win to avoid their first one day series defeat in eight years after they were beaten by seven wickets by England in Port Elizabeth.
Yet Proteas captain, Graeme Smith, is still hopeful that his team can post victory and avoid their first home series defeat under his leadership.
"It has been raining here non-stop for about three weeks and is definitely not ideal for us," said Smith
"We must however remain positive and the drainage system, like that across the country, is the best that there is."
The Proteas, on the very same Kingsmead, were bundled out of the World Cup in 2003 on a very heartbreaking note, after a miscalculation with the Duckworth-Lewis method.
According to Smith, who will play in his 150th one day international for South Africa, his team can only have themselves to blame for the tight spot which the Proteas find themselves in.
"To play so poorly in Port Elizabeth, while we are aware of the rainy weather over here, is our own fault.
"The best teams never let their own destiny slip out of their control and it is precisely what we depend on now - for the rain to abate and that we are able to play the match," he said
According to him, Mark Boucher will take his place behind the stumps after passing a fitness test.
The wicketkeeper injured himself slightly in Port Elizabeth and has intensively undergone rehabilitation this week with fast bowler, Dale Steyn.
"We will take a final decision with regard to Dale tomorrow morning (Friday morning), but the possibility of him playing does not look good. We are preparing ourselves mentally as if we will play and with the best possible team."
It is no secret that the Proteas management will want a fully fit Steyn for the first Test on 16 December and although he could possibly bowl with this injury, it will definitely hamper his pace and movement.
This means that the Proteas could possibly start with the same team that started in St. George's Park and will hope that Herschelle Gibbs does not mark his return - due to the batting collapse experienced in Port Elizabeth.
The 35-year-old batsmen was called up as replacement to the injured Jacques Kallis a week ago, but has only carried drinks up till now.
Albie Morkel is still in Pretoria after the birth of his first child, which further limit Smith's options.
Andrew Strauss, England's captain, expects South Africa to fight back hard.
"They are always at their most dangerous with their backs against that wall and our biggest challenge will clearly be not to fall into our old habits of inconsistency.
"Till now we, just like South Africa, have played one good match, then a poor one, and it is something that we will have to get rid of in order to get into positions where we can win the series more often.
According to him, Kevin Pietersen is burning to get back into good form in front of his home crowd.
The visitors' talismanic batsmen and South African born could only score 53 runs in the three completed limited overs matches after four months on the injury list and got a warm welcome from the crowd in Centurion, Cape Town and in Port Elizabeth.
"It is not easy to play at your best immediately after such a long rest.
"Kevin cannot wait to get amongst the runs again and he is just too good a player to keep on struggling."
