In five tournaments in this region, South Africa moved to the finals twice and won only once in Pakistan.
This time around in the Wills International Cup at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, the South Africans hope to better their sub-continental record. They will open their campaign against Adam Hollioake's England on October 25. In their last trip to England a few months back, South Africa won the one-day series 2-1.
But it would not be an easy task for Hansie Cronje's depleted side that will be missing the services of its front-line bowlers. The long list of injured players includes - Shaun Pollock, Lance Klussener and Roger Telemachus. South African top bowler Allan Donald, who had a problem with his heels during the England trip, opted to rest instead of playing in the nine-nation knockout tournament at Dhaka. Besides, South Africa had to leave out Gary Kirsten from the tour party as the seasoned opener broke the middle finger of his left-hand.
Injury woes worsened further when Shaun Pollock, who was suffering from back problem but had a chance to come to Dhaka as a batsman, withdrew himself from the tour party at the last moment, leaving the South Africans with only thirteen players.
``Obviously we're short of three or four fast bowlers. They're quality one-day bowlers. I believe the bowlers like Makhaya Ntini, (Steve) Elworthy, (Allan) Dawson, (Jacques) Kallis, the three spinners and myself can play an important role in filling those gaps,'' said Cronje at a press briefing at the Sonargaon Hotel yesterday. South Africa arrived in the city on Thursday in the night.
Cronje, who led South Africa to six one-day tournament victories so far, appeared to have much confidence in his young side.
``Lots of young players are here who won the Commonwealth Games and hopefully they can take some of the confidence they've gained during that trip (to do well here),'' he said.
He described England as a balanced side with the presence of some quality and established one-day players and the chances of winning the match for both sides are fifty-fifty.
Cronje tipped world champions Sri Lanka and Australia as the favourites besides his team.
But the South African captain does not think that the tournament would play a major role in their build-up for next year's World Cup in England.
``I think you can find a very good team knocked out in the first round. So, it's not going to be that easy to judge from this tournament, just straight, what the World Cup team will be. But, it will certainly give you some indication of what's goes on. I don't think it will be do-or-die situation for the call-up to the World Cup.''
South African players practised under lights at the big bowl yesterday. They will get another day to limber-up before featuring in the make-it or break-it quarterfinal clash.