JOHANNESBURG, Dec 6: Australia will encounter a changed Graeme Smith when the South African cricket team arrives in Perth on Sunday.

Smith was a relatively inexperienced captain when the South Africans toured Australia three years ago.

But it didn’t stop him making some strong statements, especially when he suggested that Ricky Ponting’s authority as captain was being undermined by the frustrated ambitions of Shane Warne.

Smith proclaimed that the South Africans were confident that they could mount a serious challenge against the world champions, but his side were beaten 2-0 in the three-match series and Smith failed as an opening batsman, with a highest score of 39.

After the tour, Smith said he had been deliberately provocative because he wanted to deflect media attention away from other members of what was largely an inexperienced side.

As a tactic, it backfired spectacularly.

Three years on, the South Africans are again confident but this time they have more reason for optimism.

Smith himself is unlikely to make any big claims other than the obvious statement that his team have played impressive Test cricket over the past year and a half.

Eight of their most recent nine series have been won, with the exception a drawn series in India earlier this year. They are second on the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test rankings behind Australia.

The keys to South Africa’s success have been a solid, settled top-six batting order and lively pace bowling spearheaded by Dale Steyn, the ICC’s Test player of the year.

The batting has been especially impressive despite an unusually poor run of form by star batsman Jacques Kallis.Five of the top six made centuries when South Africa won a series in England earlier this year – their first win there in the post-apartheid era. The exception was Kallis.

One of the most important selection decisions was the recall of Neil McKenzie as an opening batsman when the inconsistency of the richly-talented Herschelle Gibbs became too much of a burden for his team-mates.

McKenzie, 33, added maturity and a sensible dressing room presence to the team, while his opening partnership with Smith has been highly successful.

They put on a world record 415 against Bangladesh in Chittagong in March but more important was a match-saving effort of 204 in the first Test against England at Lord’s which provided the foundation for South Africa to earn a draw after following on 346 runs behind.

Hashim Amla at number three is one of the most improved batsmen in world cricket, while Ashwell Prince and A.B. de Villiers have been consistent run-getters at numbers five and six.

Only Kallis has struggled of late but he has a solid record in Australia and Smith believes that he is due for a change of fortune soon.

Kallis has been working with former England coach Duncan Fletcher, who will travel to Australia as a consultant for the early days of the tour.

“The work he’s been putting in has to pay off at some stage,” said Smith.

While the batsmen will look forward to testing themselves against an Australian bowling line-up missing the retired Warne and Glenn McGrath, the bowlers can expect to be challenged on the true pitches of Australia.

Steyn has the ability to bowl out-swingers at high pace but he can be expensive, while the exciting Morne Morkel has been inconsistent.

At his best, the tall Morkel can produce balls good enough to dismiss the best batsmen in the world but he is also liable to have days when he struggles to find line or length. Makhaya Ntini has lost pace but could have an important role to play.

Admitting he had needed a break after the England tour, he started the current season strongly and said he was looking to find the consistency and accuracy that made McGrath and compatriot Shaun Pollock valuable performers towards the end of their careers.

One big weakness for South Africa is the lack of a world-class spinner. But it’s a problem shared by Australia.—AFP