Kirsten eyes South Africa triumph

Peter Kirsten played 12 Tests for South Africa

Former South Africa batsman Peter Kirsten is backing the Proteas to beat Australia and continue their progress under Graeme Smith.

The first Test of what should be an intriguing series gets under way in Perth tomorrow with the tourists confident of improving a dismal record of one Test win Down Under in the post-Apartheid era.

And Kirsten has backed Smith’s side to inflict a second defeat in three series on Ricky Ponting’s troops following their setback in India.

“South Africa have never won a series there so I'm sure they understand the enormity of the task. They have been playing good cricket over the past year to 18 months with some great results against Pakistan, India and England,” he said.

“They are very well prepared and I think the bowling quartet of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Makhaya Ntini and Jacques Kallis are a great advantage.

“Australia is always a test for people who have never played there and the likes of Steyn and Morkel will find it mentally tough but they are exciting prospects and an exciting battle awaits them.”

South Africa are unbeaten in their last nine Test series but have traditionally struggled to match Australia, losing 2-0 on their last visit in 2005/06.

Kirsten, who played 12 Tests for South Africa during the early 1990s, insists his countrymen are now better equipped to compete against a side still smarting from their loss to an India side coached by his half-brother Gary.

Kirsten believes Morne Morkel could be a threat to Australia

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“Australia have lost the leverage of a lot of their players, the likes of Adam Gilchrist, Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne,” Kirsten added.

“Andrew Symonds is also in and out of the side so Australia might well have problems in terms of the balance of their team.

“On the other hand there is a great balance to the South Africa attack. Out there in those conditions it may suit them with the variations they have.”

Despite recent comments from Australia opener Matthew Hayden, who cast doubt on Steyn’s ability, Kirsten is confident the Proteas bowling attack can upset the home side’s top order.

“I see the likes of Morkel and Steyn occupying the same sort of mantle that (Shaun) Pollock and (Allan) Donald once did.

“They are inexperienced heading into the series in Australia, but certainly Steyn has been exciting and bowling with speed. He has been doing what Brett Lee has done for a number of years.”

It was South Africa’s pace attack which accounted for England earlier this year but Kirsten believes skipper Smith and his side would take more satisfaction from beating Australia.

“Oh absolutely, the benchmark is beating Australia,” he added.

“If they can do that in their own back yard then you don't get much better than that. They are going to have their work cut out, but they have a good chance.”