Dale Steyn to attack Smith and Warner:
South Africa aim to target Australian captain Steven Smith and vice captain David Warner in upcoming Test series. The strategy of aiming for head of snake to kill the snake will be applied by South African bowlers. South Africa have won two consecutive test series in Australia and they are aiming to extend their record to three test series. Attacking Australian captain would be the best way in tripping Australian side. Australia top order relies heavily on David Warner and middle order relies on Steven Smith, if South Africa can get Warny and Smithy out early in the innings then there is higher chance of batting collapse. South Africa has applied this strategy in past and they won't hesitate to do it again. Dale Steyn spoke about it openly and believes that Steven Smith wicket would be key to South Africa success in test series. South Africa will plan to attack Smith and Warner in test series 2016.
Steyn aim for head of Snake:
Dale Steyn compared Australia cricket team to a snake or a ship and called Steven Smith head of snake or captain of the ship. Steyn said, "You can remember Ricky Ponting, and Michael Clarke and then Steven Smith falls into that bracket. The moment you can get hold of your captain, the rest of the players rely heavily on him. He leads the ship so when you pull the plug on that kind of ship, and he's holding it, you can sink it. It's not very easy but there's a way to sink it." - sourced from espncricinfo. South Africa troubled Ricky Ponting in 2012 by short balls and swinging deliveries. SA succeed to get an upper hand by using strategy of going after captain of the ship. Steyn added, "I think they are going to come hard in terms of cricket. Their bowlers are going to be hitting hard lengths, coming past the nose, their batters are going to be in our face, they are going to be on the front foot, try and show their dominance," Steyn said. "If we go fist to fist, let's just see who can fight the longest and then you will find your winner." Dale Steyn believes that stopping Australia's star pair of Steven Smith and David Warner would be key to success in test series.
South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada believe sleding in test series would play a key role in winning the series. Verbal battle out in the middle is highly likely to happen which will add to competitiveness of the battle between Australia and South Africa.
SA v AU Test Series:
South Africa tour of Australia consists of three test matches. South Africa has already had pink ball practice matches and did really well. According to Quinton de Kock there is not much difference in batting against pink ball or red ball. South Africa will play their first test match of series on 3rd of November. Second test match will be played on 12th of November followed by a friendly practice game. South Africa v Australia last test match will be played under lights. Day-Night test match will start on 24th of November and will be played in Adelaide Oval, Adelaide. It will be Australia second Day-Night test match while South Africa will be playing their first Day-Night test match in history.
- Visit SA v AU Test Series, 2016 for complete fixture, squad and test series updates.
Reference: espncricinfo
Dale Steyn is full of crap. Australia has got in depth batting line up. Smith and Warner adds to the strength of batting order. Australia are not short of good openers and middle order batsman. It will be South African batsman under the threat not Aussie. Good luck with your strategy. We will find it out in a couple of days.
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