Let's look into the ICC Champions Trophy

South Africa are about to embark on this enormously challenging series with high expectations. These days the prerequisite for securing valuable trophies is the ability to win away from home.

They will travel with reasonably fond memories of their previous sojourn to India where they tied the series and will freely admit that on that occasion, had more endeavour with the willow been applied, they would have returned victorious.

South Africa are the number two side in the world in the one-day rankings and a successful campaign is anticipated.

During the hastily organised lead-in games they appear to be showing their hand regarding selection. Although some frustration still abounds with key personnel injuries, namely Smith and Gibbs, you can read between the lines to make out the first-choice line-up.

It appears to me that the old guard of Smith and Gibbs are once again set to open the innings and I have no doubt that that is the correct move.

Impetus up front will set the trend and both have achieved success in India.

This obviously means that the hapless Dippenaar will have the tracksuit on warming the bench but an initial onslaught is imperative when the ball is at it’s hardest and the Power Plays are employed.

My choice for number three would be Kallis but he has made it clear that he favours the second drop position, so will likely bat there.

He is South Africa’s best batsman and in my book should steer the innings, hence my penchant for him to bat early.

The tracks in India will hold no fear for Kallis and this would be a great place for him to stamp his authority on the summer with as much game time as possible.

So who strides in at three? My guess is AB de Villiers. His natural attacking game will surprise a few and his stroke play, once settled, will rattle the scoreboard along.

Coach Arthur has publicly stated that the most important batting overs are 20 to 40 where instructions will be to “step on the gas.” That being the case, the middle order selects itself. It will be Kemp at five, Boucher at six and Pollock at seven.

Petersen as the sole spinner will follow at eight and he will be expected to contribute with the bat as much as he does with the ball.

The barbed-wire persona of Hall at nine will welcome any opportunity and will not let South Africa down when he is in the spotlight.

Ntini will be hoping he will not be required to bat at ten but he will be the bowler that the nation will look to when it comes to providing penetration and shaking the opposition’s top order. Lack of penetration with the ball is my main concern and his burden will be significant.

Now there is a tough decision to make. Is it Nel or Langeveldt to make up the numbers? In my mind it is simple.

Langeveldt gets my nod. Reverse swing at the death will be a feature of the tournament and Charl possesses that ability. Nel has no pace left in the tank and, to put it bluntly, these days is not a threat to the world’s best.

To complete the jigsaw puzzle, Smith and Gibbs need to convert from walking wounded.

Supreme batting will win the Champions Trophy and again South Africa’s ability to bat a long way down will put them in good stead.

That said, someone in the top four will need to consistently cash in.