South Africa look to Kirsten to plot Australia's downfall

Sydney, Dec 2: South Africa coach Micky Arthur has revealed that he spoke to India coach Gary Kirsten to get detailed intelligence on the Australian team ahead of the first Test at Perth starting Dec 17.

South Africa has also roped in former English coach Duncan Fletcher in a consultancy role and is also speaking to other cricketing experts in a bid to uncover vulnerabilities in the world champions' make-up. South Africa will play three Tests and five One-dayers in the series.

In Kirsten and Fletcher, Arthur has tapped the minds of the only two coaches who have recorded Test series victories over Australia in the past seven years.

"I have had a chat with Gary and he reinforced that our ideas were right. And Fletch, after just his first six days with us, has already convinced me that we made a very good decision in bringing him into the group. We have been looking to speak to anyone who has enjoyed success over the Australians, and Fletch has provided us with some very interesting ideas," Arthur was quoted as saying in the Sydney Morning Herald.

Arthur began planning for this summer's tour immediately after Ricky Ponting's squad inflicted an embarrassing 3-0 home defeat on the South Africans in 2006. He also tried to rope in former Australian coach John Buchanan as an adviser, but later opted for Fletcher after Buchanan accepted a role with the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

--IANS