AUSTRALIA VS SOUTHAFRICA 2nd TEST DEC2008:-SOUTH AFRICA GOES WITH FULL CONFIDENCE TO MELBOURNE TEST

THE PROTEAS Castle Test squad attempt the final leg of their destiny-defining treble when they aim to clinch their series against Australia over the festive season fortnight.

Having drawn with India on the sub-continent and having beaten England away for the first time under the banner of Cricket South Africa to win the prestigious Basil d'Oliveira Trophy, Graeme Smith's men now take a 1-0 lead with two to play into Friday's second Test at the world-famous MCG with the third Test scheduled for Sydney at the New Year.

The MCG ranks alongside Lord's in England and Eden Gardens at Kolkata as one of the dream venues to play a Test match. Melbourne is Australia's sporting capital hosting such major events as a Grand Slam tennis event, just across the railway line from the MCG, and the Australian Formula 1 grand prix.

Smith was asked yesterday what advice he would give to some of his younger players, notably Dale Steyn, who have yet to experience the atmosphere of playing in front of an anticipated 70 000 screaming Aussies on Boxing Day.

As Smith pointed out, this is the reason why young men play international sport. It is the stage they have always dreamed of playing on. In any case Australia are in much the same boat as the South Africans with internationals greenhorns such as Nathan Hauritz, Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus listed as possible starters.

On top of it all the Proteas are potentially playing what could be the greatest game in South African Test history, even greater than the runs chase at Perth if they manage to clinch the series.

Smith put the match into context. “From our point of view we have had three of the toughest tours this year with India, England and now here. We drew in India, we won in England and, if we can close off this series here in Australia, it will be an incredible performance for this team and probably the most successful season ever for South African cricket.

“That is what we have the chance to achieve and to beat Australia in Australia is something everybody would like to have in their career.

“As a sportsman a Boxing Day Test is one of those great occasions. We will obviously discuss a few things and be as well prepared as we can from that side but on the day it is a motivation to perform well. There is no greater occasion to perform well.”

The South African captain said it was also a chance to reflect on his own life and career and the changes he had gone through since his last tour to Australia in 2005.

“It is nice to come back here and see how far I have progressed in my life and my career and how things have changed.”

One thing that has, of course, changed is his chronic elbow injury and that on its own has taken considerable adjustment.

“Mentally you look forward to coping with it as best you can. Fortunately I have been batting well through it and I have been able to adapt my game quite well. But it is something that we need to deal with in the longer run because I can't keep treating it like this over a long period of time, so we need to plan the way forward.

“At the moment our focus is purely on this Test match and we don't want anything to get in the way of that.”

Smith also dwelt on the pressure the Australian team has been subjected to since Perth. “I was surprised at some of the Media reports and statements after the Test match. It wasn't something I expected. Having played against Australia for some time they are always composed and well directed, so it did come as a surprise.

But it does not affect our preparation or the way we think. They have picked a formidable team for this Test match and they will come out to play an aggressive game and take the game to us, so we will have to be focused and ready.

“We put our peg in the ground at Perth and we have made them respect us a huge amount as we do respect them. But from a psychological aspect we know we have got a lot more petrol in our tank. It took something special to win the Test match and I expect much the same again with a pretty even contest.”

Ashwell Prince, South Africa's other casualty with a cracked thumb, had a try out in the nets on Wednesday and a decision on his availability will be taken after Christmas Day's practice.