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Arthur tips two spinners for Cape Town
Cricinfo staff
March 14, 2006

Mickey Arthur, the South Africa coach, predicts Australia will play two spinners in Thursday's first Test in a selection adding pressure to Andrew Symonds's role as first-change bowler. South Africa's attack is expected to be dominated by pace and Arthur told AAP he hoped the pitch at Cape Town would suit his seamers Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini and Shaun Pollock.

"I don't think it's any secret we are looking for wickets with a little bit of grass in it," Arthur said. "We want to try and negate the Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill factor, so it will be interesting to see what type of deck we actually get here. I do think [Australia will] play two spinners."

Arthur said if the surfaces suited pace and Australia chose both slow men it would increase Symonds's workload. "It will be quite interesting because then that third seamer will become really important," he said. "That will be a very interesting selection." Symonds bowled well against South Africa in the Melbourne and Sydney Tests during Australia's 2-0 series win, but he is still inexperienced as an international allrounder with only eight wickets in seven matches.

Arthur raised an eyebrow when the Australia selectors sent Nathan Bracken home after the one-day series and opted for the bowling options of Michael Kasprowicz, Stuart Clark and Shaun Tait behind Brett Lee. "I really think Bracken is a good bowler," Arthur said. "That actually surprises us."

When Arthur was asked if the one-wicket loss on Sunday would rock Australia's Test preparations he said: "I think it could. [But] whenever we seem to have Australia down they come back fighting. It is a very, very tough side to beat."

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