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Michael Clarke tells South African cricketers how best to sled with former team-mate David Warner when they take on Australia.
David Warner will face South Africa for the first time in a Test series in Australia since the infamous 2018 ball-tampering scandal that saw him banned from all cricket for 12 months, and his former teammate Michael Clarke knows exactly how the Proteas can enter your head.
The first Contra Test kicks off on Saturday at the Gabba in Brisbane with the stage set for a tinderbox of emotions.
The summer of cricket has already started in the worst possible way for Warner, who withdrew his application to have his leadership ban overturned, had bat trouble in Perth and learned his wife was abused by drunks in the Adelaide Oval crowd.
Michael Clarke, David Warner and the rest of the Aussie Test team celebrate with the ballot box after winning The Ashes against England in 2005
Warner and former South African goalkeeper Quinton de Kock have an altercation after a vile sledding during the 2018 series
Former Test captain Michael Clarke believes the South Africans can get under the skin of the Australian opener as he battles for form.
Clarke has even given the visitors the plan to rile Warner, saying South Africa should target Warner with sleds on how the Australian public is against him, before adding that he hopes the tactic will backfire.
“Your approach to any player who was involved in that Sandpapergate, they got it, mate,” Clarke said on Sky Sports radio’s The Big Sports Breakfast on Tuesday.
“It’s not necessary to cross the line, but you can make it very clear to someone like David Warner that the Australian fans are out for him.”
“I want to see Davey Warner, if they get a chance with him in the field while he’s hitting, go back to being that bulldog and give it back to him, Davey.”
Former captain Steve Smith was also banned for 12 months for his role in Sandpapergate.
The South African and English crowds have mocked him before and you can expect similar treatment this time around.
Australia’s David Warner and Steve Smith during day four of the second series test match between Australia and the West Indies at Adelaide Oval
However, Smith remains focused more on South Africa’s bowling attack than what could be said in the heat of battle.
“South Africa are the only team that have played me quite well in the past, my record probably isn’t as good against them as some of the others,” Smith conceded.
‘Some of the bowlers I’m going to face (have been challenging when) I’ve faced (them) before. I’m looking forward to the series like everyone else.
SQUADS
Australia: Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Lance Morris, Michael Neser, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner
South Africa: Dean Elgar (captain), Temba Bavuma, Gerald Coetzee, Theunis de Bruyn, Sarel Eree, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Heinrich Klaasen, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Lizaad Williams, Khaya Zondo