Skippers set for epic series

Graeme Smith and Michael Vaughan last met in the Test arena in the 2004-5 series

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The battle for supremacy between captains Michael Vaughan and Graeme Smith is one of several potentially decisive factors in the Test series between England and South Africa.

The tourists’ coach Mickey Arthur senses an “aura” that sets the two chief protagonists apart as they prepare to square up for what is expected to be a tough and uncompromising summer.

With the npower Test series about to start at Lord’s this week, Arthur is also promising “something special” from South Africa’s emerging fast bowlers Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel.

Paul Harris is less of a headline act. But the South Africa coach acknowledges the slow left-armer’s brief, to close down one end and allow those pace bowlers freedom to attack, could make a so far unsung cricketer one of the key combatants.

Arthur predicts England will try to dominate Harris and upset South Africa’s gameplan - and he is confident the former Warwickshire spinner will cope with the pressure.

Over and above that and other tussles, though, it is the battle of wills between Vaughan and Smith that will be captivating.

Arthur holds both men in the highest regard.

“Vaughan certainly has an aura about him,” he said, assessing the challenges ahead after an Uxbridge washout yesterday had confirmed South Africa’s warm-up match against Middlesex would be drawn.

“I think he’s very similar to Graeme in that he commands huge respect.

“Any side England put out without Michael Vaughan would be a weaker side.

“I think he’s crucial to England. He brings a calmness to the side.”

Vaughan and Smith have already each won an important victory, over respective injury problems, to be fit to lead their teams at Lord’s on Thursday.

Opener Smith was back from his Indian Premier League hamstring tear in time for only one innings, before he returns to the scene of his double-century in a landslide Test win five years ago.

Vaughan, meanwhile, has habitually had to contend with aggravation from the right knee, which has so far required four operations and once threatened his career.

But his tactical awareness and standing as a leader are unaffected, and Arthur is clearly an admirer.

South Africa spinner Paul Harris takes the plaudits after bowling Middlesex's Ed Joyce on Saturday

“I think he’s a fantastic captain, and he brings the same to England as Graeme Smith brings to South Africa,” he said.

“That is why it was so important for us to get Graeme right, and likewise for [England coach] Peter (Moores) to have Vaughan ready.”

So much for the generals. But Arthur has no doubt service in the ranks from the likes of Harris will be highly significant too.

Harris struggled to contain Middlesex’s all left-handed top five over the weekend - hardly an endorsement of his Test prospects.

Arthur remains confident, however, saying: “Some of the shots played against him at Uxbridge, I can’t see too many of the England top six doing that - they’d be too risky.

“But I do think we’d be setting up a fool’s paradise if we didn’t think England will target him.

“The role he is going to play is a holding job. That’s no secret and he’s played that role quite well for us.

“If I were strategising in the other camp, I’d be looking at maybe taking him on.”

Harris is well aware of what he is up against - and Arthur believes he will be up to the task.

“We’re aware of it - he’s aware of it. It is something he’s going to have to deal with when it happens on Thursday, Friday, or whenever he bowls.

“I’ve said to him ‘you can handle it in two ways, you can step up to the plate or back down’.

“He’s very much a character who will step up to the plate. I’m confident he’ll do that.”