Arthur backs South Africa to shine

Mickey Arthur reckons South Africa have the firepower to upset Australia on home turf

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It is 16 years since Australia lost to anyone in a home Test series - but South Africa coach Mickey Arthur believes his tourists may be in the ‘right place’ at the right time to achieve a slice of history.

West Indies were the last team to beat Australia Down Under - and going into a three-Test series which starts in Perth tomorrow, South Africa are the one team in world cricket with the firepower to compare with those of old from the Caribbean.

But the coach reports there will be no complacency against world-beating opponents who may have slipped a little from the all-conquering era of recent years but will have a point to prove after their defeat in India - before a home success against New Zealand.

"We've got a huge amount of respect for Australia," said Arthur. "They're still the best team in the world.

"They haven't been beaten in Australia for 16 years, and we really respect them. But by the same token, we're a confident team at the moment - which is very nice. It's a really good place to be.

“We're not letting any outside distractions get to us; we're pretty calm; we're pretty relaxed. This is the most focused and relaxed I've seen this team - which is fantastic."

Arthur has let little slip about the exact make-up of Graeme Smith’s team - with left-arm spinner Paul Harris and young left-arm seamer Lonwabe Tsotsobe both still in the frame to complete an attack led by the pace of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel.

"I think it will be a gamble not to play a spinner," said Arthur.

Of Tsotsobe, however, he added: “He's still certainly not out of the reckoning for this Test match ... he's come on in leaps and bounds and he may play a role somewhere."

Harris has overcome a thumb injury and took 4-94 in a tour match against a Western Australia XI on Saturday but Smith will wait until just before the start tomorrow before deciding between him and Lonwabo.

"We've just had a first look at the wicket today and it's changed quite a bit from yesterday. We'll have Tsotsobe in the 12 and then we'll make a decision in the morning," Smith said.

Arthur and captain Graeme Smith have some selectorial decisions to make ahead of the first Test

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"But as I said the other day I'm very comfortable going in with the XI we've done the business with over the last period of time.

"It's more of cover really, just making sure we get here tomorrow and we've covered our bases. We really are pretty happy."

Much of the focus in the build-up to the series opener has been on fast bowler Steyn, and Smith is confident he will perform well in Australia and is handling all the pressure as well as can be expected.

"I think Dale bowled a good spell with the new ball (in the tour match) and after that cruised a little bit, just found his rhythm and tried a few little different things. They've got some world-class batters and we are going to have to bowl well to be successful in the series," he said.

"I think anyone would be slightly affected by the amount of hype that's been around a person but generally he's quite a calm, chilled-out guy off the field.

“With the rise to success he's had over the last year it's something he's had to learn to deal with, it's become part of his life.”

From the moment Smith and his team arrived in Australia, the change in attitude has been obvious.

This Proteas team is much more relaxed and confident in its ability to win a big series having not lost since 2006 against Sri Lanka and Smith also returns a changed captain.

"In my opinion the guys are far more settled now than they ever have been. Over the last year and a half to two years, the team has developed nicely and moved forward," he said.

"We are in a really good space, guys are prepared and we are looking forward to it, we are excited about it.

“It doesn't mean we are going to play well in the coming days but we've given ourselves the best opportunity and the guys are excited about what comes ahead.

“We are all just looking forward to what's coming."