de Villiers 'turned on' by pace

The WACA pitch is expected to suit Lee © Getty Images

AB de Villiers, the South Africa opener, is the latest to join the war of words ahead of the first Test beginning at Perth on December 16, claiming that he has no fears facing Australia's fast bowlers on the bouncy WACA pitch.

Graeme Smith, the South Africa captain, sparked the exchange by claiming his bowlers had the ability to wrangle Australia's top order. Then, Pat Symox, the former spinner, warned the Australians to expect a barrage of sledging from South Africa. Lastly, Terry Alderman, the former Australia fast bowler, made some scathing comments on the South African batting after Western Australia defeated the tourists by an innings and 48 runs on day three of a warm-up match yesterday.

After the tourists' defeat, Justin Langer, Australia's opener, said that he felt Australia had successfully put the fear of fast bowling in the forefront of South Africa's batsmen's minds. Langer also commented on the pitch at Perth, saying that it would be perfect for Brett Lee. de Villiers, however, has welcomed the challenge. "I hope it will be quick - that will turn me on. I enjoy pace," he told Cape Argus, a South African daily. "I'm feeling pretty well balanced at the crease; I need a bit of luck and then there will be a century on the board."

Jacques Kallis and Smith, who both sat out the match due to injury, opted to tackle the steepling bounce of Lee by having throw-downs with tennis balls during a practice session at the WACA today. Smith is slightly ahead of Kallis in the race to be fit, but he may not be able to play in a one-day tour match on Friday. Undeterred by the loss against Western Australia, de Villiers added: "We got what we wanted out of the game. We all batted twice. It was hard to get up for that one - we were all pretty tired from travelling." de Villiers, who is 33 runs short of 1,000 runs, hit three centuries in his first year of Test cricket.