Exposing Australia’s top order is the goal: Smith

Number one rank at stake as first Test starts today.

BRISBANE: South Africa captain Graeme Smith wants to keep the anniversary of Australia’s humiliating capitulation of 47 all out fresh in the minds of the home side at the opening Brisbane Test today.

It will be almost 12 months to the day when the Proteas skittled the Australians for their lowest total against South Africa at Newlands on the way to a crushing eight-wicket win.

Smith did not miss the opportunity of reminding Michael Clarke’s Australians of their day of ignominy on the eve of the first of three Tests between the top-ranked South Africa and the number three Aussies.

Pace duo Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander rocked the Australians in Cape Town and are threatening to wreak similar havoc on a greenish Gabba pitch, where South Africa last played in 1963.

“To have Australia 21 for 9 is something that’s quite hard to fathom today,” said Smith. “Our goal is to get into their batting order and create a lot of pressure. If we can do that first up, hopefully we can create a bit of doubt.”

Steyn and Philander, the top two bowlers in Test cricket, are key to South Africa’s hopes of repeating their first-ever series win in Australia in 2009 and remaining the top Test nation.

“The thing is, you can bowl at the speed of light, but how effective can you be. That’s the key,” Smith said of Steyn.

“Dale has proven that he can be both. Hopefully he’ll show that in this Test match.”

Smith made light of reports in News Limited newspapers revealing a top-secret Australian dossier on every South African player and detailing plans for each player.

“I guess it is not that secret any more. Nothing really new,” Smith said dismissively.

“All of us have played enough against Australia, we know what it’s going to take to be victorious here.

“We try to keep it in the guys’ heads as much as possible so dossiers aren’t left lying around. To us it doesn’t make a difference.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 9^th, 2012.