Steve Smith predicts short ball barrage against South Africa

The Test series starts from March 1.

Smith won his first Ashes as Australian Test skipper. (Getty)

Post a successful Ashes series against England, Australia is getting ready to face another stern Test series against South Africa when they tour the rainbow nation in March. 

Keeping an eye on the recently concluded Test series involving India and South Africa, Smith expects the African quicks to trouble them with bouncers in the series. 

“I’ve seen little bits and pieces (of the series against India),” Smith told reporters on Tuesday.I think it’s going to be a really exciting series. Two good pace attacks going at it. Batting’s going to be hard work.

“They’ve got some good bowlers and we’re going to have to show some good fight and good resilience out in the middle against their quicks, and (Keshav) Maharaj as well, who’s come a long way as a spinner.”

Australia’s pace attack was equally as impressive in the 4-0 Ashes triumph against England, also completed earlier this month, and Smith had no doubt that Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins would prove potent in South Africa.

“They could go a couple of different ways with their wickets,” he said. “For us, it’s just about adapting to whatever they throw at us.I guess the thing with Australia and South Africa is the conditions are probably the two most similar around the world".

“The wickets are generally pretty similar and the pace and bounce. From that aspect it’s (easier to adjust)" concluded Smith.

Schedule 

Thu Mar 1 - Mon Mar 5
South Africa vs Australia, 1st Test 
Kingsmead, Durban

Fri Mar 9 - Tue Mar 13
South Africa vs Australia, 2nd Test 
St Georges Park, Port Elizabeth

Thu Mar 22 - Mon Mar 26
South Africa vs Australia, 3rd Test 
Newlands, Cape Town

Fri Mar 30 - Tue Apr 3
South Africa vs Australia, 4th Test 
The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
 

 
 

By Anshuman Roy - 30 Jan, 2018

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