Kirsten backs South Africa down under

Gary Kirsten, the former South Africa opener and now India coach, has said his former team has a great opportunity to win a series in Australia for the first time when the two countries meet next month. Kirsten played a key behind-the-scenes role in India's 2-0 success over Australia, and was able to watch at close quarters how the opposition had been affected by losing a batch of world-class players.

"Australia are in a natural life cycle… they have had a good dose of time with a very experienced, highly skilled team," Kirsten told the Cape Argus. "Players have retired, with places filled by inexperienced players and Australia have come back into the pack a little bit.

"South Africa have a real chance of doing something special against Australia this summer. It is one of their better chances, with Australia without players like Warne, McGrath and Gilchrist. It is up to South Africa to make the most of the opportunity."

Kirsten believes that Graeme Smith's side has the resources to win in Australia. He said South Africa had an especially strong batting line-up and fast-bowling attack, which he rated as the best in the world.

"Neil McKenzie, Hashim Amla and Ashwell Prince are starting to score quite regularly. The champion Jacques Kallis will come back to form, I have no doubt, and you have the world-class Graeme Smith.

"South Africa have probably the best seam bowling attack in the world at the moment, with Makhaya Ntini or Andre Nel to back up Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel. Paul Harris doesn't appear to be a strike bowler - I presume Australia will look to try to target him, although that may play into his hands a little bit."

The one area Kirsten feels South Africa could fall down is their preparation, echoing comments from his former captain Kepler Wessels. They have one two-day match against Western Australia before three back-to-back Tests, beginning in Perth on December 17.

"It's a tough ask, playing three in a row like that," he said. "I would recommend two warm-up games if India went there. It's a different place, it's very competitive cricket and you need to get the feel of Australia way before you walk into those big stadiums to play."