Arthur backs Boucher

Mickey Arthur, newly-appointed South African coach, says Mark Boucher will face no problems wicketkeeping to Muttiah Muralitharan.

Boucher's inclusion in the World XI Test squad, ahead of Kumar Sangakkara, has been the subject of considerable debate. Adam Glichrist, their Australian counterpart, publicly expressed his surprise about Sangakkara's absence citing his knowledge of Muralitharan's variations as a valuable asset.

Sangakkara was also the World XI's best batsman in the one-day series, hitting two attractive half-centuries in three games and his Test average of 48.02 also compares favourably to Boucher's 30.38.

But Arthur told SuperCricket, "I watched Bouch keeping to Murali in the nets and I have no doubt he'll do well in the Test. I think he'll be fine."

Arthur, referring to the Afro-Asia Cup games, added, "Actually, he'll be better than that. During the Afro-Asia Cup Bouch used to pick Murali from the change room. He was one of our few batsmen who had no difficulty in reading him. I have no doubt he'll do superbly keeping to him."

Arthur was in Sydney for what he called a brief reconnaissance mission before his side tour there later this year. "I thought it would be a good idea to get here, especially with us coming back at the end of the year, just to get a `psychy' of the place and to see Sydney because we think Sydney (venue of the third Test) could be crucial to the way the series goes."

Playing on his relative anonymity, Arthur said he had also taken the chance to watch Australian players in nets as part of his preparation for the series. "I went to the net practice and did a little bit of infiltrating because they don't know who I am yet, so I could have a good little look. It's all about being prepared."

Arthur will watch the first three days of the Super Test before flying back on Monday to begin preparation for the New Zealand series.