We’re not scared of Starc – SA batting coach McKenzie

Mitchell Starc‚ whose 150kman- hour deliveries will spearhead Australia’s attack against South Africa in next week’s first test at the Waca‚ does not scare Neil McKenzie. Neither do any of the home side’s other bowlers‚ South Africa’s batting coach said in Adelaide yesterday. “I don’t think it’s the fear factor‚” McKenzie said. “It’s more that most of the batting guys are worried about losing their wicket‚ not the fear factor." “That is how it should be.” Easy for McKenzie to say‚ considering he will be safely out of harm’s way when Starc and company are taking aim at the South Africans. Not that McKenzie disrespected the hosts’ attack. “The bowlers are still quality‚ can still get you out and can still win test matches for their country,” he said. “So our batsmen still have to respect whoever is out there coming at them‚” he said. “You don’t have to look too far past most of the guys’ stats." “I know they have five or six seamers up for selection‚ and they’re all quality seamers." “And behind the stumps, there is still enough aggression,” McKenzie said. South Africa will have their last match practice before the test series‚ which starts next Thursday‚ in a two-day game against a South Australia XI in Glenelg‚ near Adelaide‚ which starts today. The visitors’ first tour match was a day-night game using the pink ball against a Cricket Australia XI in Adelaide at the weekend. Today’s match will mark a return to tradition‚ not least because the first two tests will not be played under lights. “Now it’s just back to the red ball‚ getting the techniques organised‚ getting the minds right‚” McKenzie said. “Everyone is in a good mental state‚ everyone has had a good run at this stage. “The coaches are happy with where we are.” One face in the South Australia squad will be familiar to the South African players. He is Harry Nielsen. The South Australia under- 23 wicket-keeper played for South Africa at the weekend in the absence of Proteas gloveman Quinton de Kock‚ who had a viral infection. Nielsen has now crossed the dressingroom floor again.