After making minced meat of England captain Alastair Cook, Australia’s fast bowling cartel are gunning for South Africa’s left-handed skipper, Graeme Smith.
Cook’s personal demise was the trigger for England’s Ashes capitulation, and Australia will stick to their guns against the world’s No.1 Test side in the three-match series starting on February 12 in Pretoria.
Spearhead Mitchell Johnson has an imposing track record against Smith, breaking the opener’s hand twice during his career and often taking his wicket.
Australia say if they can get rid of Smith early and stick to what worked against England, they like their chances against a Proteas batting line-up that’s missing all-time great Jacques Kallis for the first time.
“We’ve always tried to target the captain and he’s at the top again like Cook,” said lion-hearted seamer, Peter Siddle.
“We’ve always had a good contest against (Smith), always been hard work.
“Our bowling at the moment is the best I’ve played with since I’ve been in the Australian side.
“If we get it right again, we can perform like we did against England.”
Fellow quick Ryan Harris said the Proteas would miss retired star Kallis and be wary of Johnson’s 150km/h thunderbolts.
“(He’s a big loss). It’s nice to know he’s not going to be walking out at No.3,” Harris said.
“Sids and I … we’re trying to put pressure on and it allows (Johnson) to come in and fire blokes out. I’m sure they’re not looking forward to facing him.”
Australia’s bowling attack warmed up nicely in second XI action on Tuesday, with Siddle taking four wickets and Harris two for Queensland against Western Australia.
Rookie batsman Alex Doolan made only 25 in a guest appearance for WA before falling lbw to Siddle, but Australian opener Chris Rogers managed to get the rust out with 68 for South Australia’s second XI in Blacktown.
Australian fast bowling coach Craig McDermott will work with the quicks in South Africa, with Darren Lehmann not joining the squad until after the Twenty20 internationals against England conclude on Sunday.