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The pact that did the trick for South African cricket

Updated on: 07 January,2009 06:07 AM IST |
Khalid A-H Ansari | smdmail@mid-day.com

It has come to light that South Africa, who were battling to save or dramatically win the Sydney Test yesterday, following Ricky Ponting's challenging declaration, signed an official document before the tour guaranteeing they would give their all against Australia.

South African coach Mickey Arthur is said to have put responsibility on the players' shoulders to perform or perish.

The top six Proteas batsmen are said to have signed an accord to score at least 300 runs between them in every Test innings. The bowlers reportedly signed a similar document promising to take 20 wickets.

South Africa's Jacques Kallis (left) with coach Mickey Arthur

Arthur is quoted as saying: "The top six batsmen needed to know they were responsible for the runs. If they cocked out, we were bowled out for 120.

"We got them in together as a group and made them responsible for scoring 300 runs.

"They made that pledge themselves and actually signed off on a document to that effect".

Arthur also revealed he insisted he wanted his young team to "fight fire with fire" and attack Australia's inexperienced attack at every opportunity.

"We wanted batters walking out to the middle, hitting the ball and playing, challenging the opposition.

"We wanted to give the guys the opportunity that when they are facing Nathan Hauritz, they can go down the wicket and hit him over the top and they are not going to get into trouble."

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