South Africa coach Mickey Arthur feels bowling full against the aussies on a newly-laid Perth wicket will reap rich rewards for the touring West Indies
South Africa coach Mickey Arthur feels bowling full against the aussies on a newly-laid Perth wicket will reap rich rewards for the touring West Indies With Australia inducting former pace spearhead Brett Lee into the squad for tomorrow's Test at Perth as cover for doubtful starter Peter Siddle, the resurgent Calypsonians have received valuable advice from an unexpected quarter.
South African coach Mickey Arthur, who successfully mentored his team to a historic Test series win over Australia Down Under last year, yesterday advised the West Indian quicks to bowl in manner contrary to that of his own successful bowlers on the new Perth wicket, which is expected to be fast and bouncy, as in days gone by.
West Indies tearaway bowler Kemar Roach has been planning a full-on assault on the Australian batsmen with short-pitched deliveries but Arthur has advised otherwise.
"A lot of teams come to Perth and think they should be bowling short... they will be absolutely murdered by Australia if they try that," Arthur told a Sydney newspaper over the phone from South Africa yesterday.
"We found the best way to bowl here is a much fuller length than you would be in other places then you can just let the natural bounce of the wicket work in your favour.
"All batsmen like to score quickly in Perth but if you bowl a full length it cuts down the scoring opportunities for batsmen. You just have to be patient and put a lot of pressure in that way."
Siddle has hamstring soreness but bowled at a fair clip without apparent discomfort at nets yesterday.
Tasmanian pace bowler Brett Geeves had been included in the squad before Lee's call up yesterday.
There has been a great deal of speculation over the newly-laid wicket at Perth which, along with the Gabba in Brisbane, has been known to be the quickest and bounciest in Australia.
The home team went without a defeat on this wicket between 1997 and 2005, but Ricky Ponting's Australians have suffered consecutive defeats on the wicket to India two years ago and to and South Africa last year.
