The ups Down Under

December 17th is what the South African cricket team are focusing on right now, the day that the first test kicks off against Australia in Perth. A venue which has witnessed some match-saving heroics from the visitors last time around. Mike Haysman in Supercricket calls for a change in approach from last time around - Graeme Smith's deliberate verbal attacks delivered from press conferences and other media gatherings was to force the Australians to focus their energy on him, therefore releasing a pressure valve to allow his less experienced teammates to prosper.

The South Africans need to embrace the tour of Australia with a degree of enjoyment and respect that will win over the public and the media. They are a likeable bunch and doing such will take little effort. Make no mistake, the steeliness and aggression that will be required in the heat of battle will be simmering below the surface and that will naturally rise to the fore when needed. That is the hallmark of South African and Australian clashes and nothing will ever change that. Rightly so.

Since readmission in 1992, the South Africans have not beaten Australia in a Test series. Andy Capsotagno in the Mail & Guardian believes South Africa have a squad capable of turning the tide around this time, as he looks back at the team composition from the last series, back in 2005.

Amla replaces Rudolph, whose best Test innings came in the first Test of the 2005 series. Rudolph batted through the final day against Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee and Shane Warne, and he deserved the plaudits that came his way.

The best praise you can direct at Amla is that the apex of Rudolph’s career would be no more than a staging post for the KwaZulu-Natalian, who has greatness written through him and will prove a stumbling block of immense proportions for the latest clutch of Australian bowlers.