South Africa to target big-scoring Clarke

South Africa to target big-scoring Clarke

South Africa are targeting prolific Australianskipper Michael Clarke as they aim to break a five-decade winless drought inthe Adelaide Test and seize the initiative in the three-match series.

The top-ranked Proteas were forced to bat out for a draw inthe first Brisbane Test after Australia racked up an imposing first inningsscore of 565 for five declared, Clarke leading the way with an unbeaten 259.

South African skipper Graeme Smith expects his vaunted bowlingline-up to fire at the Adelaide Oval in the match starting on Thursday, whereSouth Africa have not won in 48 years.

"I just don't think we backed up well enough in Brisbane,"he said. "We had periods when we were good, then we lost our way a littlebit.

"We didn't really bowl well in partnerships to create enoughpressure on Australia's batting. Hopefully that will happen in Adelaide."

Pacemen Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel had the hosts rocking at40-3 before Clarke, Ed Cowan (136) and Michael Hussey (100) launched theirrescue act.

Morkel plans more short-pitched stuff, particularly at Clarke.

"Definitely that is a plan to always use a short ball-- you have got two short balls an over so why not use it?" Morkel said.

"We just need to use it in a clever way and see how wego from there.

"Clarke played very, very well. If we can create more pressureand try and stop him from rotating strike that will be key." Clarke wasnamed the man-of-the-match in Brisbane after his third double-century of a yearin which he is the highest scorer in Tests with 1,041 runs at an average of115.66.

South African all-rounder Faf du Plessis is expected to makehis debut in place of JP Duminy, out for six months with a ruptured Achillestendon, and leg-spinner Imran Tahir is likely to replace paceman RoryKleinveldt, ineffective and wicketless on his debut.

Australia all-rounder Shane Watson, who missed the first Test,has been battling to prove his fitness from a calf injury.

A decision will be made on Wednesday or the morning of thematch on his inclusion, but former captain Ricky Ponting said Watson could notplay if he was anything less than 100 percent fit.

"There will be a certain amount of running he will haveto do to prove that he's right to play a Test match," Ponting saidTuesday.

"No one can go into a Test match 70 percent fit. Idon't care if you're a batsman and a slip fielder. If you can't bat at 100percent, then you are putting pressure on other blokes as well."

Rookie batsman Rob Quiney, who was added to the squad whenWatson pulled out of the series opener in Brisbane, is expected to play ifWatson fails to prove his fitness.

Local spinner Nathan Lyon, who took four wickets in the firstTest, is expected to bowl plenty of overs on his home ground, which is renownedfor big totals.

Australian coach Mickey Arthur has likened the Adelaide wicketto those on the subcontinent.

"Adelaide's been pretty consistent, Adelaide's a very, verygood wicket," he said.

"You know what you get, it's almost like the subcontinent.It's very slow for the first three days then quickens up towards the back end.

"It goes from being the best batting wicket in theworld to being pretty difficult to bat on in days four and five. So, big firstinnings are the way to go there."

South Africa last won in Adelaide in January 1964, beatingBobby Simpson's team by 10 wickets. They have subsequently lost two and drawnone at the Oval.

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