DELIRIUM AT THE OPERA: Thousands of fans gathered to celebrate Australia’s crushing win over England in the Ashes Test series at the Sydney Opera House. PHOTO: AFP
Warner claims members of South Africa’s top-ranked team are ‘on the back foot as players’ and will miss newly-retired Jacques Kallis in the three-Test tour in the republic.
He said a combination of sledging and thunderbolts from express paceman Mitchell Johnson unhinged England’s experienced batsmen in the Ashes, with Alastair Cook, Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen all averaging under 30 in the 5-0 series annihilation.
Even though the Proteas feature some of the most established and successful run-scorers in cricket, Warner believes the South Africans are ripe for the picking.
“We know a couple of their blokes are probably on the back foot,” said Warner.
“We’ve got to work out how to get their players out as well. I know our bowlers are ready to go over there and give it to them.”
He added that sledging would play a part in their approach, but the team would not go too far.
“On the field you don’t cross that line. We nudged that line a couple of times but I think we really got into their heads.”
Australia celebrate whitewash at Opera House
Thousands of fans packed the Sydney Opera House to greet Australia’s victorious Ashes team on Tuesday, with coach Darren Lehmann hailing their aggressive style of cricket.
“The players deserve all the credit. They have done a lot of hard work,” Lehmann, who has overseen a dramatic turnaround in the past six months, told the crowd.
“Winning the first one at the Gabba was important and we gained confidence and went from strength to strength. The pleasing thing is the way they play – nice, aggressive, hard cricket, the Aussie way.”
Captain Michael Clarke hailed the support from fans throughout the series.
“It’s extremely satisfying,” he said. “All the hard work has paid off. Most important for the team was the support we have had throughout the entire series.”
Pietersen ‘determined’ to avenge loss
Kevin Pietersen has insisted he has no intention of retiring and is determined to help England regain the Ashes next year.
Pietersen’s future has been under the spotlight during England’s recent thrashing in Australia, with the batsman managing a total of only 294 runs in the five tests at an average of under 30.
“Very disappointed to lose 5-0, and not to score more runs. Tough tour against a top class team,” Pietersen said on Twitter.
“I want to thank all the England fans for their terrific support. And I’m determined to help regain the Ashes in 2015.”
Pietersen, despite his modest tally, was England’s leading run-scorer during the Ashes and was one of several players who came under fire from England great Geoffrey Boycott.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ