McGrath sends warning to Smith

Glenn McGrath, the Australian fast bowler, has warned Graeme Smith, the World XI Test captain, that he can expect the same verbal aggression in the Super Test that he was subjected to in his Test debut.

Smith, after his debut series against Australia at Cape Town in 2002, went public with his shock and dismay at the tactics employed by Steve Waugh's side and named Shane Warne, Matthew Hayden, Brett Lee and McGrath as the chief intimidators in a magazine interview. Smith's outburst angered the Australians, who claimed that what had occurred on the field should not be dragged into the open.

McGrath has hinted at a similar reception for Smith. "I'm sure we won't hold back. We'll play as we normally do," McGrath was quoted as saying by The Age, the Melbourne-based daily. "It'd be nice to knock him [Smith] over cheaply a couple of times. He might have that in the back of his mind when he comes back over here."

Smith admitted last week that he should not have been so forthcoming in his statements in 2002, but added that he would still maintain the same attitude on the field and play in the same manner. South Africa are due to tour Australia later this season, and Smith intends on playing hard then as well. "I play the game the same way, I play it hard and I don't think there will be anything held back in Sydney and again at the end of the year when I come back with South Africa."

For now though, Smith has the challenging job of marshalling a World XI side seemingly low on confidence after being whitewashed 3-0 in the one-day internationals that have preceded this week's Super Test.