South Africa maintain belief

17 July 2008

Mickey Arthur is backing his pace bowlers to improve on their Lord's performance

There will be no panic from South Africa as they prepare to face an England side that could be reinforced by Andrew Flintoff in the second npower Test at Headingley Carnegie tomorrow.

The tourists have a selection issue of their own, however, over the fitness of opening batsman Neil McKenzie.

Coach Mickey Arthur is advising that contingency plans are in place come what may - and South Africa are looking forward to playing against an England side with a fit-again Flintoff available after his injury troubles.

McKenzie’s participation may hinge on a last-minute fitness test tomorrow morning - with Arthur optimistic about the durability of the man whose nine-and-a-quarter-hour 138 did much to save the first Test at Lord’s from a highly unlikely position.

“Other than that, I don’t see us panicking at all (over selection),” said the coach. “This side has done particularly well for South Africa over the last year or so.”

That was not the case for the first two days at Lord’s, where England piled up 593 for eight declared after being asked to bat first against a much-touted pace attack, who have since admitted to being overawed by the occasion.

“I don’t think we were particularly intelligent in the way we bowled,” Arthur conceded. “I think we should have assessed conditions a lot quicker than we did.”

Pacemen Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn were two of four bowlers who went for more than 100 runs in England’s first innings, although the former did take four wickets.

Arthur reports that some minor technical tinkering has taken place with Steyn, but the more important remedial work has centred around making sure the bowlers are mentally reinvigorated.

South Africa wicketkeeper Mark Boucher is put through his paces ahead of the second Test

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“There was a slight chink in Dale’s delivery stride, which has been corrected. (Assistant coach) Vinnie (Barnes) picked that up brilliantly,” he said.

“But it has been positive affirmation, telling these guys they’re world class - and they’ve got to believe it.

“Even though they are strike bowlers, that also means starving the batsmen of runs. We got a little bit impatient (at Lord’s) - three balls in a good area, then we wanted to bowl one that pitched leg and hit off.

“We just weren’t consistent enough, so it will be a different strategy here. It’s about the bowling group proving to themselves that they have the ability to do it in all conditions.”

As for the opening batsman’s position, if McKenzie is not fit after all, JP Duminy will be his replacement to accompany Graeme Smith at the top of the order.

“JP would just slot in at the top of the order - and AB (de Villiers) would stay at six,” said Arthur. “Anything else would be two swaps for one, and I don’t want to make two changes for one position.”

Flintoff, meanwhile, remains a cricketer South Africa want to play against - and beat - this summer.

“We’re looking forward to playing him. I think it just heightens the challenge,” added Arthur. “It is good to see one of the best cricketers in the world playing again. World cricket is richer for that.”