Aussies chomping at the bit for SA series
Smith lays down challenge despite recent debacle around pitch conditions
AUSTRALIA know what to expect from South African pitch conditions ahead of their four-match test series with the Proteas‚ which starts in Durban next month, captain Steve Smith said.
Other matches take place at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth‚ Newlands in Cape Town and the Wanderers in Johannesburg at the end of next month.
The pitch conditions at the Wanderers during South Africa’s 2-1 test series win over India recently, came in for harsh criticism.
The Wanderers Stadium was hit with three demerit points by the International Cricket Council (ICC), after match officials rated the pitch poor.
“We saw some of the wickets that looked quite difficult for the batters during the Indian series but for us it’s about playing what is in front of us‚” Smith said after the first group of players arrived in the country on Friday.
“Whether we get a flat or green wicket that is doing something and it is up and down‚ you just have to try and adapt whatever is in front of you and do the job.
“My message to the boys is that we don’t know what we are going to get in each test match and venue.
“It is just about playing the way we need to play for the conditions that we will be faced with.” South Africa have a battery of quick bowlers, among them Kagiso Rabada‚ Morne Morkel‚ Lungi Ngidi and Vernon Philander‚ who did a good job against India in the test series‚ and Smith is looking forward to facing them.
“I am excited by the prospect of facing the South African fast bowlers. You love going up against the best bowlers around the world‚” he said.
“I think South Africa have in particular two guys who bowl at pace in the form of Rabada and Morkel‚ and there is Philander who has done what he has done for long periods of time.
“I think it is exciting and the batters should be looking forward to the series because it is going to be challenging and good for the viewers to watch.”
He said he had been impressed with the introduction of Ngidi.
“I have watched a little bit of him and he bowled reasonably well. He comes wide of the crease‚ angles the ball in at the right-handers‚ he hits pretty good areas and he is a good find.”
Australia have just finished an Ashes series where they beat England 4-0 at home, but Smith said most of the players had had a few weeks’ break.
“I was worried until two weeks ago‚ when I got a little bit of a break‚ and I feel good and refreshed now.
“Not so long ago I did not feel like picking up my cricket bat but five or six days ago I wanted to do it again and I am ready to go.
“I think it’s probably the same with most of the guys. We have had a big summer and the chance to have a little bit of a rest is important.” – TimesLIVE