Arthur predicts pace showdown in series against South Africa

Sydney: Australian cricket coach Mickey Arthur has foreshadowed a pace showdown in the upcoming series against South Africa, and added it will give some of his top six batters the opportunity of forging a long Test career.

The Proteas will unleash a pace attack that includes Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander in the Tests in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth in November and early December. Australia also boasts of a strong contingent of speedsters as they lock horns with the No.1-ranked Proteas, who recently deposed England from top spot. Experienced quartet Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus, Ryan Harris and Mitchell Johnson will vie for spots with rising stars James Pattinson, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc. Emerging top-order batsmen Ed Cowan and David Warner are set to face the stiffest test yet of their international credentials, The Sydney Morning Herald reports. “It’s definitely the two best pace attacks in the world going head to head. It’s going to be about the batters - it`s going to be about which top six can adapt better and which top six is going to be more consistent over a three-Test series,” Arthur said on Tuesday. “I think both top sixes are in for a real baptism of fire and it`s going to be a real good opportunity for some of our top six especially to test themselves against two really world-class bowlers. If they come out on top after that, they can look forward to a really good, long Test career.” ANI