Pretoria – Australian opening batsman David Warner says his team will have to respect the South African pace attack in their upcoming three-match Test series starting in Centurion on February 12.
“You've (South Africa) got three very, very good bowlers,” Warner said at SuperSport Park on Wednesday.
“They're guys who consistently keep taking wickets and bowling teams out so we have to respect them.
“We've played them both home and away, and we know what they're capable of and we've got to be smart with the way we approach it.”
While the Australians were more familiar with the flatter tracks back home, it would not be a problem playing on the faster, bouncier, pitches in South Africa, he said.
“You can have a green wicket and the bowler trying to take a wicket every ball, but that's not how we play,” Warner said.
“We try to set the batsman up and get him nicking.
“Batting in the first innings is crucial – we just have to score as many runs as we can – so the bowlers have something to bowl at and can put pressure on the opposition.”
With the series set to be a contest between the two fierce bowling lineups, Warner said it would be about application for the batsmen.
“We have to adapt to our conditions Ä there are world-class batters in both teams and both batting units have to put up with what is put in front of us.
“If they (the pitches) are bowler-friendly, we have to back ourselves and adapt quickly whether it's leaving good balls and waiting for the ball a little bit longer, and obviously putting away the bad balls.”
Warner, a particularly attacking batsman, said playing with intent would be the key to safely navigating the conditions and the bowlers.
“It's almost like England where you have the ball swinging around and seaming a bit,” he said.
“You can't get too bogged down and you always have to have that intent.
“I know with my own game I'm always looking to score runs and not leaving too many balls. If it's seaming and swinging, it's just about adapting to conditions.” – Sapa