Warne says Proteas might need psychologist

Shane Warne has warned South Africa they could need their team psychologist after Australia has finished with them in the three-Test series starting on Friday. Referring to the squad's plan to fly Francois Hugo from Johannesburg to motivate the players, Warne said it may be a good idea.

"They might need one by the time we've finished with them," Warne said. There is little love lost between the two Test nations and South Africa are aiming to regain some lost pride, having failed to beat Australia in a Test series since being readmitted to international cricket in 1991.

Warne is a particular concern for the Proteas and has an excellent Test record against them, having taken 101 wickets at 22.34. The visitors have also rankled the Australians by claiming they use sledging to upset and distract their opponents. Herschelle Gibbs said last week the players had come to expect such tactics and would think something was wrong if they weren't sledged.

"As usual, the South Africans have had a bit too much to say, they should worry about their own backyard, get it in order first," Warne said. After recovering from back soreness, Warne said he was looking forward to the first Test even though the WACA is not known for taking spin.

"I feel pretty good, I've done a lot of yoga, I've done stretching, I've done pool and all the strengthening for my back," he said. "It's still a bit stiff, hopefully it will loosen up with another three or four more days of treatment. It's an ongoing thing I suppose at 36. I've bowled a few balls over 15 years - I'm going to have to put up with some sort of soreness."

Warne was under no illusions about his role on the pace-friendly WACA, saying he would be called upon more to break partnerships than as a front-line strike bowler. "You know when you go there," Warne said, "that you're not going to take a big haul of wickets."