Australia tend to start a home Test series with the usual pre-series talk and try to upset the opposition in whatever manner possible. But interestingly, this time around, they have been rather quiet, except responding to some the jabs volleyed by the Proteas in the past week.
Their ex-players, Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin, relentless chatterboxes on the field during their time with the national squad, have spoken about toning down the sledging and concentrating on winning the match. This could stem from a rather poor One Day series against the visitors just a few weeks ago or from the fact that the visitors have had considerable success in Australia in their last two tours.
Whatever the reason be, Australia are strangely on the back foot even before the series has started, despite a huge name like De Villiers missing in the Proteas squad. That it will take a humongous effort from the likes of Starc, Warner and skipper Smith to win the first Perth Test is quite obvious to every cricket fan.
Let us take a look at some means the Aussies should seek to win the first Test.
#1 Build a good first innings total
This will be of utmost priority against a South African line-up missing AB De Villiers. Irrespective of how many Proteas score in their first innings, the Aussies should look to build a total above 450 in their first innings to put pressure on the South African batsmen when they come out to bat.
The threat of Starc will loom large only if they have a huge total on board and it is up to the Aussie batsmen to give it their all in the first innings and counter the likes of Steyn, Rabada and Philander.
Perth is expected to remain a dead batting pitch with loads of bounce and once the Aussies account for that extra bounce, they should have a good time against a one-dimensional Proteas attack.
#2 Silencing Dale Steyn
Dale Steyn is a different beast with the red cherry in hand and the Aussies know it all too well. They have been at the receiving end of some fabulous Steyn spells and the best of their batsmen have struggled to play him out when he is on fire.
This Aussie batting line-up does not have a threatening look about it, save for David Warner and Steve Smith.
If they cannot silence the Phalaborwa Express, they are going to have a hard time in the first Test. While Perth remains a batting paradise, Steyn has proven countless times that he can extract life from unresponsive wickets. His reverse swing is another huge threat against a weak lower middle order.
It is up to one of Warner and Smith to keep Steyn at bay. If Steyn is silenced and his threat is negated, the lower middle order issue that Aussies have may not surface at all.
#3 Using Mitchell Starc wisely
Starc is not fully fit yet but has been named in the starting XI for the first Test. While he may have bowled a considerable amount in the nets, a proper Test match might cause the injury to resurface. He will need to be managed properly if they need him fit right through the series.
One of the reasons for preferring Siddle over Mennie for Perth must be that Siddle is a work horse capable of running in all day. With Starc's ability to bowl many overs still a question mark due to his injury, the Aussies need someone like Siddle in their line-up.
Starc will be crucial against the likes of Cook and Amla, who have profound weaknesses against the incoming ball, which is Starc's stock ball.
#4 Role of Adam Voges
Adam Voges is a vital link at no.5 between the Aussie middle order and their lower order. The lower order comprising Mitchell Marsh and Peter Nevill will definitely be a target for the South African pace bowlers. This is where Voges will play a huge role in guiding the lower middle order.
He is a terrific batsman with a good record in Test cricket, despite faring poorly in Lanka, like most of his team mates. His record at home is terrific and Aussies will be hoping that he continues the trend in this series.
Once the likes of Warner and Smith are back in the hut, Voges is the key man for Aussies. He has to stand between the Proteas and the lower order if Australia need to put up a huge score.
#5 Putting the Sri Lankan tour and ODI series against South Africa behind them
The mental scars of the Lankan tour and the disastrous whitewash in the ODI series against the visitors should be the last thing on the mind of the Aussies as they walk out at Perth.
Yes, they had a horrible last few months but they have the right personnel to move them forward from a rather long passage of losses. In Steven Smith, they have a leader who can lead by example and has done that in the past. But coach Lehmann will need to instil in his skipper and his men the need to start afresh in this series.
The absence of trash talk and mindgames before the series suggests that Australia have not recovered fully from the drubbing they got at the hands of the South Africans and Lankans. Unless they put that behind them, Steyn and co. will have a lot to talk about in the next few weeks.
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