THE Proteas get their preparations into full swing for the upcoming series against Zimbabwe and England when the entire Standard Bank ODI and Pro20 squads with the exception of Jacques Kallis take part in the MTN40 this week.

Kallis is still recovering from a side strain injury that first emerged during the ICC Champions’ Trophy and recurred at the Champions’ League in India.

The MTN40 heralds a new dawn for one-day cricket, certainly as far as franchise cricket is concerned.

The MTN40 opens up on Wednesday with a high profile fixture between the bizhub Highveld Lions and the Nashua Cape Cobras at the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium.

Graeme Smith will lead the Cobras who also have Justin Kemp and Robin Peterson available to strengthen substantially the squad that did well in the Champions’ League.

It gives the Cobras a quality top order batting line-up of Smith, Andrew Puttick, JP Duminy, Herschelle Gibbs, Justin Ontong and Kemp.

The Lions should be able to answer fire with fire in the likes of Alviro Petersen, Jean Symes, Neil McKenzie, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Zander de Bruyn, Jonathan Vandiar, Dane Vilas and Thami Tsolekile.

There will be much interest in how the new format works. The most obvious change is the reduction from 45 to 40 overs but the most fundamental changes are probably the use of the 12^th man as a full playing member of the squad and the new batting power plays.

Apart from speeding up the game it provides tactical options that were not available before and the fact that the two franchises in the opening match will be led by two of the country’s most skilled captains in Smith and McKenzie adds to the equation.

The 12^th man option now provides for an extra batting or bowling option and also allows the opportunity to remove a cumbersome fielder from play.

Apart from the mandatory power play in the first 10 overs, both the other two five-over power plays are called by the batting side and have to be completed by the end of the 35^th over.

Altogether there are six matches this week with the Cobras having a busy time, being involved in three of them. All six franchises will be involved in at least one match.

The 40 overs format allows for a slightly later start of 4.30pm for day/night matches which will make it easier for spectators coming from work. Day matches start at 10am.

MTN40 fixtures for this week:

Wednesday (day/night): bizhub Highveld Lions v Nashua Cape Cobras, Bidvest Wanderers Stadium

Friday (day/night): Nashua Dolphins v Chevrolet Warriors, Sahara Stadium Kingsmead; Diamond Eagles v bizhub Highveld Lions, OUTsurance Oval; Nashua Titans v Nashua Cape Cobras, SuperSport Park

Sunday (day): Chevrolet Warriors v Nashua Cape Cobras, Buffalo Park; Nashua Titans v Diamond Eagles, SuperSport Park