Smith hoping to kick the Proteas while they are down

Australia skipper Steve Smith is hopeful that his team can make the most of what he perceives to be a demoralized Proteas team.
Smith has been keeping an eye on the ODI series between South Africa and India and feels that the 5-1 loss to Virat Kohli’s men may have dented the number two ranked Test team’s confidence.
Speaking from the team hotel in Sandton Smith said: “I’ve been watching bits and pieces of it [South Africa v India]. Been watching bits of the one-dayers the last couple of days as well.
“They probably haven’t been at their best, the South Africans, and the Indians have played really well.
“For us, they might be a little low leading into the Test series and it’s important to try to keep their confidence down and start really well in the first Test match in Durban.”
Smith is out for revenge after the Test series defeat inflicted upon his team by Faf du Plessis’ men in 2016.
He went on: “Coming to South Africa, it’s probably the most similar conditions you get to Australia or probably any conditions in the world for two countries. This is going to be a good challenge for this group to hopefully keep that record up.
“We got beaten by South Africa at home a year ago, and that was a bit of a low point for Australian cricket. So it would be great if we could turn the tides here.”
Smith is looking forward to a series that might well shape up to be a battle of the quicks, with both sides possessing impressive pace bowlers.
He said: “Good fast bowling on both sides, it’s going to be a challenge for the batsmen and hard work at times, too. But I’m really looking forward to it.
“There could be some good short pitch bowling in this series.”
Latest
-
England
Jamie Overton happy to entertain on rollercoaster England Test debut
The pace bowler fell three runs short of a remarkable century at Headingley.
-
England
England have Headingley buzzing again as late burst rocks New Zealand
The tourists will resume on Sunday 137 runs ahead with five wickets down.
-
England
Jamie Overton falls just short of debut century for England in tight third Test
Overton was caught behind for 97 in the morning session.
-
England
Azeem Rafiq attends third day of Headingley Test as guest of Yorkshire
Rafiq enjoyed Saturday’s action from a balcony at the Pavilion End
-
England
Jamie Overton falls just short of debut Test century as England take narrow lead
Newcomer Overton was caught behind for 97.
-
England
George Scrimshaw holds final-over nerves to guide Derbyshire past Lancashire
Scrimshaw successfully defended the 10 runs in the final over.
-
England
Jonny Bairstow and England looking to ‘take the game forward’
Bairstow hit a run-a-ball hundred for the second Test in succession as England fought back spectacularly against New Zealand.
-
England
Jonny Bairstow century leads thrilling England fightback at Headingley
The Yorkshireman made 130 not out and put on 209 with debutant Jamie Overton to rescue his side from 55 for six against New Zealand.
-
England
England top order left in tatters as New Zealand gain upper hand at Headingley
The hosts were 93 for six in reply to New Zealand’s 329 all out.
-
New Zealand
Daryl Mitchell breaks record with another century against England
Mitchell broke Martin Donnelly’s New Zealand tally of 492 runs in a series in England, set back in 1949.