Victorious South African cricket coach Mickey Arthur says New Zealand’s “bunch of scrappers” can give Australia more headaches after their summer reached another low ebb here last night.
South Africa snatched the world No.1 ranking in one-day international cricket away from Australia to ice an unforgettable tour with a 39-run victory at the WACA, sealing a 4-1 series win.
And Australia’s struggles with bat and ball provides a glimmer of hope for the young New Zealand team ahead of Sunday’s Chappell-Hadlee Trophy opener here.
“I think it’s going to be quite a tough series,” Arthur said.
“New Zealand are fighters and when we play them we always know we’re in for a tough time. They always seem to be in your face and use their resources to the optimum level, and always come up with something different.
“They’re a bunch of scrappers and it’s going to be interesting to see what happens.”
A punishing schedule also made it tough for the hosts, Arthur said, with five ODIs against New Zealand in the next fortnight after a tough Test and ODI series against South Africa. Not long afterward, Australia board a plane for the return series in the republic.
“I honestly don’t know who agreed to that schedule, it’s really, really tough…. I would have thought they would have tried to ensure a break, but New Zealand are here now.”
Still, Arthur observed Australia had the incentive to reclaim the world No.1 ranking with a series win over fourth-ranked New Zealand as they defend the trophy they won 2-0 a year ago.
They would also be hurting badly after suffering rare Test and ODI series losses on home soil.
“I expect Australia to regroup hugely and hit them hard come Sunday. Thankfully we’ll be watching that from our loungerooms at home.”
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