Steve Waugh and Merv Hughes at WIN Stadium discuss the positives and negatives of Twenty20 cricket. Picture: ROBERT PEET
Former captain Steve Waugh believes the fragile frames of Australia's young Test tyros carry the hopes of victory against South Africa, when the series starts at the Gabba next month.
In Wollongong yesterday for a men's health luncheon at WIN Stadium, Waugh declared it's up to Michael Clarke's pacemen, James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, to blast the experienced South African batsmen out.
The first Test, starting on November 9, also presents a chance for the Aussies to take a bold step towards reclaiming the No 1 international ranking.
"We're up against a pretty seasoned, professional lineup, who have been together a long time," Waugh said of South Africa.
"They'll be hard to beat, but we can give them a good run for their money with our bowling attack, that's the key.
"We need to find guys in form and get some solidarity and consistency."
Waugh said he believed it was highly unlikely Clarke would heavily rotate his pace attack, which also include more experienced players Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus.
"I brought in the rotation system in one-day cricket 15 years ago," he said.
"They'll go with their best possible attack. I can't imagine not wanting his four best bowlers every Test, but the young guys need to be managed closely.
"They may rotate those guys, but Siddle and Hilfenhaus, they won't want to be rotated, they've waited a long time to play for Australia and are pretty set in their ways.
"It's more important to get the best out of the younger guys."
Pattinson, 22, was also sent home from this year's West Indies tour with a back injury, while Starc and Cummins have also had their fitness issues.
However, one of Australia's best quicks, Merv Hughes, speaking to the Mercury at the same function, said Clarke needed to be wary about leaving leading spinner Nathan Lyon out of the Test team.
Lyon has managed just four wickets and conceded more than 300 runs so far this summer, but Hughes reckons the slow bowler will play a vital role in the three-Test series, which also includes matches in Adelaide and Perth.
Australia also play a three-Test series against Sri Lanka in December and January.
"If it's over in three days on a green seamer [pitch], but let's just wait and see what the conditions are," Hughes said.
"The young guys coming in want to establish themselves and make their mark on Test cricket, but let's see how Nathan Lyon goes.
"He's a big part of the summer against South Africa and Sri Lanka."
Hughes and Waugh helped launch the annual campaign to encourage men to undergo free health checks at the WIN Entertainment Centre, available today from 11am-4pm.
The right-armer famous for his moustache and warm-up exercise in front of crowds, Hughes said it was important Pattinson, Starc and Cummins - with at least two likely to be picked if Lyon is left out - helped ease the burden shouldered by Siddle.