Arthur praises 'special' batting line-up

When your batsmen score nearly 400 runs in 50 overs and your bowlers and fielders then lead you to a comprehensive win, it's only understandable that the coach is pleased.

Mickey Arthur, South Africa's coach, praised his side's ODI batting line-up, fresh from mauling Pakistan to the tune of 392 runs, and added that they would not relent for the rest of the series.

Arthur was particularly happy that the batsmen built on good starts and added, "Add Herschelle Gibbs to that batting line-up and you have something special."

Gibbs, having served his suspension for referring in improper language to Pakistan supporters, will be available when the second ODI is played in Durban on Wednesday. Loots Bosman is expected to drop out to make room for Gibbs, who will bat number four while Jacques Kallis will move to one-down.

Arthur said his team had batted, bowled and fielded well. "We showed we had taken our fielding, in particular, to new heights. Now we plan to provide our best players with as much match practice as possible ahead of the World Cup tournament. Therefore, we won't easily change the winning combination.

Despite beating them by ten wickets and 164 runs over the weekend, Arthur warned against not taking Pakistan seriously. "We also realise Pakistan can regain their best form at any time and we are not taking them lightly.

"We have to maintain that momentum and put Pakistan under even more pressure."