Smith targets historic win

Graeme Smith realises that beating Australia in Australia is a major achievement

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Graeme Smith has urged his South Africa side to attack Australia's batting line-up ahead of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

Two days before the start of what could prove the most significant match since South Africa returned to the international fold in 1992, Smith has told his bowlers to finish off the Australia tail quickly if given the opportunity at the Melbourne Cricket Ground after twice facing lower-order revivals from the hosts in the first Test in Perth.

"We have gained confidence from having the Australian top order in trouble a lot of the time, but we need to be a little bit more ruthless," said Smith, whose side are seeking to inflict a home series loss on Australia for the first time in almost 16 years.

"We have to show a little bit more stamina to finish them off. We've got to hopefully get ourselves in that position again and really take the opportunity."

Smith also backed lightning paceman Dale Steyn, who returned underwhelming match figures of 4-162 in Perth, to find his form.

"I think he's happy not to have a massive wind blowing that he had to deal with in Perth," he said.

"He bowled some good spells and wants to improve that in this Test match and there's no better occasion to do it."

Surprisingly, for a side that has for years been tortured mentally by Australia, the Proteas have resisted the opportunity to twist the knife into the home side - at least off the field.

"We've been quite clear in our messages since we've arrived here, it's all about the cricket," added Smith. "We know that's where we're going to be judged.

"We just really want to play good cricket, play to our style and we want to put Australia under pressure out on the field."

The Proteas are just one Test win, or two draws, away from scaling their version of Mount Everest - beating Australia in Australia.

Dale Steyn remains Smith's secret weapon with the ball

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"If we can really close off the series here in Australia it will be an incredible achievement for this team," said Smith, whose team have drawn with India in India and beaten England on foreign soil this year.

"It would probably be our most successful season ever in the history of South African cricket.

"That's an opportunity that we have. To beat Australia in Australia, that's right up there with something everyone would love to have in their career."

The Proteas can even depose their hosts at the top of the Test rankings should they win both remaining matches.

But coach Mickey Arthur is not thinking that far ahead.

"One victory doesn't make a summer," Arthur said. "There's a huge amount of cricket for us to play."

Arthur was quick to point out his side's success was the culmination of a long period of building work, led by captain Smith.

"The last two years we've been very consistent with our selections and we've built up to get a Test team to where we are at the moment," Arthur said.

"This year was huge for us with India, England and Australia all away. And two years ago when we made the decision to build a Test team, we made some big calls and the players are coming through.

"Graeme and I have put a lot of trust in our players. We trust them to go and do their jobs and do the roles that we defined for them and they've done that.

"I don't think there's any point going for a quick fix. You start confusing yourself. You've got to sit down, plan and strategise and back the players that you picked to do the job for you.

"It breeds confidence through the team, it breeds confidence through the players as well. It allows them to go out in the field and play.

"That's something that Graeme and I have always addressed. We want our players to play with freedom.

"We don't want them to be playing for their place every time they go to the wicket."