'We'd love to fill the gap' - Arthur

Arthur: 'We would be delighted to go, we'd jump at the chance' © AFP

Mickey Arthur, the South Africa coach, has said that they would "jump at the chance" to play a one-day series against England if the current ball-tampering dispute puts Pakistan's participation in the five-match series in doubt.

"We would be delighted to go, we'd jump at the chance," Arthur told the SuperCricket website, "although I must stress that I have heard absolutely nothing official and I think it's nothing more than speculation at the moment.

"We were very frustrated at what happened in Sri Lanka and we hope Pakistan and England are able to sort things out, but - although there would be a heck of a lot to organise - we'd love to fill the gap if it ever came to that."

Bob Woolmer, the Pakistan coach, had said that he could not guarantee Pakistan's participation in the one-day series scheduled to begin on August 30 if Inzamam-ul-Haq was penalised. Inzamam was charged with bringing the game into disrepute along with changing the condition of the ball and, if found guilty, faces a ban of up to eight ODIs or four Tests.

South Africa's preparations for the Champions Trophy in India in October were disrupted when they had to pull-out of the tri-series in Sri Lanka due to security concerns following a bomb blast in Colombo. As of now the only matches they have before the Champions Trophy are against the touring Zimbabweans, which includes a Twenty20 match on September 13, followed by three ODIs on September 15, 17 and 20.