Ready for battle

The rumble in the African jungle resumes in Durban today with Australia and South Africa, two the world's most formidable teams, locking horns in ferocious combat.

Ready for battle

The five-match ODI series assumes particular significance after Australia avenged their Test series Down Under early this year only to be beaten comprehensively in the two-match Twenty20 series.

Needless to say no quarters will be given, especially in the eagerly-awaited resumption of hostilities between Mitchell Johnson and South African skipper and opening batsman Graeme Smith, who suffered a fractured left little finger when struck by the 27-year old left-arm fast bowler in the Sydney test in January.

Johnson was the player of the Test series with 16 wickets at a bowling average of 25. He also scored 255 runs at 85.

Australian skipper Ricky Ponting was almost salivating at the prospect when he told the media yesterday: "It will be interesting. He (Johnson) hit him in Sydney and broke his finger there, and the next time he got a chance to bowl to him was in Johannesburg in the first Test in February. He got out second ball in the first innings in Jo'burg and he almost had him first ball in the third over in Durban.

"There's no doubt that those sort of things will be playing on Graeme's mind a little bit but he's an outstanding player and has been for a long time," Ponting said.

"He becomes one of our major targets in the series. (He) and Herschelle Gibbs at the top of the order are a dangerous combination. We've got to make early inroads if we want to get (big-hitting) Albie Morkel into the crease early."

On his part, Johnson, the answer to Australian prayers for an all-rounder, said: "I'll go into these one-dayers with a bit of confidence coming out of the Test series.

"It's always good to get an opportunity to bowl with the new ball to an opening batsman such as Graeme Smith, who is such a great player. I'm just looking forward to the challenge again, and I know he'll be raring to go again."

Denying suggestions he would try and target the left-handed opener with short pitched deliveries, Johnson said: "I'll just try my best and if I get him again (on the finger), well that's the way the game goes. I'll be looking to try to get his wicket.'

The battle lines are clearly drawn!

South African coach Mickey Arthur described Smith's return as a "huge bonus" although it will mean leaving Johan Botha, who bowled cannily and led the Proteas with impressive aplomb in Smith's absence, out of the fray.

Arthur said Smith was not troubled by an elbow injury he carried throughout the Australian tour.

The Proteas coach told news agencies: "Graeme has learnt down the line not to be stupid.

"He has perhaps come back too early once or twice before and just compounded his injuries. He is a warrior, and we obviously want to get him back as soon as we can."

South Africa head the ICC ODI table one point ahead of Australia, who can surge ahead of the Proteas if they win the five-match series.

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