Bangladesh set to feel full force of Steyn

South African fast bowler Dale Steyn is set to make his return after illness in a Twenty20 international against Bangladesh at the Wanderers Stadium here on Wednesday.

Steyn, the International Cricket Council's Test player of the year, missed the two-match series against Kenya which ended on Sunday after suffering from a virus.

Media officer Michael Owen-Smith said Steyn was "one hundred percent medically" but needed to build up his match fitness.

South African captain Graeme Smith, who is recovering from a tennis elbow injury, will not play in the Twenty20 international but is hoping to be in action in the first one-day international in Potchefstroom Friday.

Bangladesh will play three one-day internationals and two Test matches on their month-long tour.

Owen-Smith said Smith had not yet batted in the nets but had been "shadow batting" during the South African team's camp in Kimberley last week.

"Graeme is keen to get back on the field in the one-day games but it depends on the medical team. He will definitely play in the Test series."

The first Test starts in Bloemfontein on November 19. The odds are stacked against Bangladesh, who were beaten by heavy margins in all three one-day internationals and lost both Tests by an innings on their only previous tour in 2002/03.

South Africa have also won all four Test matches and six one-day internationals on two tours to Bangladesh - but Bangladesh caused an upset in the 2007 World Cup when they beat the Proteas in Providence, Guyana.

South Africa showed reasonable form in easily winning both matches against Kenya but coach Mickey Arthur said the team were looking to lift their standard against Bangladesh.

"I was very pleased with the work the team put in over the past week both in the practice nets and in the matches," said Arthur. "There were a lot of positives to take forward. At the same time each and every one of us has plenty of room for further improvement."

Bangladesh arrived in Johannesburg on Sunday and had their first net practice on Monday. Despite losing some players to the unsanctioned Indian Cricket League, Bangladesh won the first one-day international at home against New Zealand last month before losing the series 2-1.

They stretched New Zealand before losing the first of two Tests by three wickets. The second Test was a rain-affected draw.

Imrul Kayes and Mahbubul Alam, who made their international debuts against New Zealand, return to South Africa after shining on a Bangladesh Academy tour of the country in August.

Bangladesh one-day squad: Mohammad Ashraful (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Junaid Siddique, Raqibul Hasan, Shakib Al Hasan, Mehrab Hossain jnr, Imrul Kayes, Naeem Islam, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mashrafe Mortaza, Abdur Razzak, Shahadat Hossain, Syed Rasel, Nazmul Hossain, Mahbubul Alam.

South African Twenty20 international team: Johan Botha (captain), Herschelle Gibbs, Loots Bosman, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Justin Ontong, Albie Morkel, Rory Kleinveldt, Morne Morkel, Johann Louw, Dale Steyn.

JOHANNESBURG, Tuesday, AFP