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Perth - The Proteas' Test squad started putting the final touches to their preparations for the first Test against Australia when they resumed training at the WACA on Monday afternoon.
Coach Mickey Arthur said he was very happy with the way the preparation had gone, the state of fitness of the players and the analysing of the opposition and the likely playing conditions on a pitch that sometimes has an almost unique nature.
“What we have heard is that the WACA is getting back to the pace and bounce it had a few years ago. Last time we were here everybody got sucked into the idea that it would have pace and bounce and that turned out not to be the case,” said Arthur.
“We used the analogy through last week of practising for a Test at Kingsmead because there is always a lot of bounce there as well. When we play there the techniques of our batsmen change slightly as do the lines and lengths of our bowlers, so we have prepared as we would do for Durban.
“We have done a lot of analyzing and stressing the lengths we think our bowlers should use. We hope that they won't get carried away when they see the bounce and I am sure that won't happen.”
And what do they make of Peter Siddle, the late call-up for injured Stuart Clark, whose only Test appearance was on the recent tour of India when Clark also dropped out injured?
“We have got a pretty good dossier on Peter Siddle from people we know in and around the Melbourne area. The only footage we have got is from the Indian Test he played and obviously the conditions will be a bit different. He looks a bit skiddy, gets a bit of bounce and it looks as though he hits the bat quite hard.
“We have got to give him the respect he deserves. It will be interesting to see how he comes through.”
As far as Australia the team is concerned, Arthur dismissed suggestions that the world leaders might be on the wane. At the same time he outlined how his own team's mental preparation had been going.
“We have a huge amount of respect for Australia. They are still the best team in the world with a lot of unbelievable cricketers. But we haven't really concentrated on Australia. The boys have been unbelievably relaxed so far. We are focusing on what we can control and what we can control is the way we perform.
“We know Australia are a great team much like we thought England were a very good team. We are not letting outside distractions get to us, we are very calm, we are very relaxed which is very fantastic. Over the last few years we have concentrated on our own games and on the things that we can control and that has worked well for us. We can't control what Australia are going to do. They haven't been beaten in Australia for 16 years and we respect that.”
Arthur said that there would be “no surprises” in South Africa's starting line-up. He also confirmed that all 15 players would be ready and available for selection.”
Coach Mickey Arthur said he was very happy with the way the preparation had gone, the state of fitness of the players and the analysing of the opposition and the likely playing conditions on a pitch that sometimes has an almost unique nature.
“What we have heard is that the WACA is getting back to the pace and bounce it had a few years ago. Last time we were here everybody got sucked into the idea that it would have pace and bounce and that turned out not to be the case,” said Arthur.
“We used the analogy through last week of practising for a Test at Kingsmead because there is always a lot of bounce there as well. When we play there the techniques of our batsmen change slightly as do the lines and lengths of our bowlers, so we have prepared as we would do for Durban.
“We have done a lot of analyzing and stressing the lengths we think our bowlers should use. We hope that they won't get carried away when they see the bounce and I am sure that won't happen.”
And what do they make of Peter Siddle, the late call-up for injured Stuart Clark, whose only Test appearance was on the recent tour of India when Clark also dropped out injured?
“We have got a pretty good dossier on Peter Siddle from people we know in and around the Melbourne area. The only footage we have got is from the Indian Test he played and obviously the conditions will be a bit different. He looks a bit skiddy, gets a bit of bounce and it looks as though he hits the bat quite hard.
“We have got to give him the respect he deserves. It will be interesting to see how he comes through.”
As far as Australia the team is concerned, Arthur dismissed suggestions that the world leaders might be on the wane. At the same time he outlined how his own team's mental preparation had been going.
“We have a huge amount of respect for Australia. They are still the best team in the world with a lot of unbelievable cricketers. But we haven't really concentrated on Australia. The boys have been unbelievably relaxed so far. We are focusing on what we can control and what we can control is the way we perform.
“We know Australia are a great team much like we thought England were a very good team. We are not letting outside distractions get to us, we are very calm, we are very relaxed which is very fantastic. Over the last few years we have concentrated on our own games and on the things that we can control and that has worked well for us. We can't control what Australia are going to do. They haven't been beaten in Australia for 16 years and we respect that.”
Arthur said that there would be “no surprises” in South Africa's starting line-up. He also confirmed that all 15 players would be ready and available for selection.”
