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South Africa coach Mickey Arthur describes his previous tour of Australia as a “baptism of fire” but feels he has learnt enough since then to make a much better fist of things this time.
Captain Graeme Smith, who threw himself into the contest three years ago, taking on the Aussies as best he could in the media and on the field, has also toned things down.
Failing to get a half-century in his side’s 2-0 Test series loss in Australia, Smith has rebounded by scoring over 1300 Test runs this year.
Arthur can also afford to smile with the Proteas winning eight of their past nine series and drawing 1-1 with India.
Worryingly for the tourists, their opening one-day game against Western Australia in Perth on Thursday will not include Smith (elbow), strike bowler Dale Steyn (hamstring) or front line spinner Paul Harris (thumb).
However, Arthur says all three are expected to be fit to play in the two-day game against a WA XI starting at the WACA on Friday. The first Test begins in Perth on December 17.
Boosted by having England’s 2005 Ashes-winning mentor Duncan Fletcher with the squad for the Perth Test, Arthur is relaxed about taking on the world champions.
“It’s a huge advantage because the first time I came here it was my first tour abroad with the national team,” Arthur told reporters at the WACA on Wednesday.
“It was a baptism of fire. I think we did a couple of things wrong, we did one or two things right.
“Graeme took unbelievable responsibility on the last tour and he’s got to be applauded for that.
“But we have learned. I think maybe we hyped the whole Australian tour up too much as a leadership group.
“We’re trying to play it down. We know what we’re capable of doing.
“For us it’s about keeping the guys relaxed and focused on our core business. We’re quite comfortable that we’ve got it right now.
“There’s big hype in South Africa, there’s big hype in Australia. I’ve actually never seen such a focused and relaxed bunch of blokes in my life.”
Arthur said the Proteas would be keen viewers of Wednesday’s domestic one-dayer between South Australia and Tasmania, featuring Test spinner Jason Krejza.
Krejza took 12 wickets on debut in India in October but missed last month’s Adelaide Test against New Zealand with an ankle injury.
WA captain Marcus North has urged selectors to go with Krejza ahead of pace-bowling all-rounder Shane Watson.
“What helps is being an off-spinner at the WACA you’ve got that beautiful sea breeze that comes in and it really helps you shape and drift,” said North, who has taken eight wickets at 33.62 with his off-breaks this season.
“We saw how well Bruce Yardley performs at the WACA (19 wickets at 25.73 in four Tests) and I’m sure that if Jason gets the opportunity … then he’ll really enjoy that drift he’ll get with the sea breeze.
“It would be very interesting if they don’t go in with a spinner. As a balance they’ve got three world-class quick bowlers that I’m sure could do the job.”
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