Siddle looks to get in the swing

(Australia v West Indies, 2nd Test, Adelaide)

Finesse isn't a term generally associated with Peter Siddle, but the Australian fast bowler is striving to change perceptions. Siddle has forged a fearsome reputation for his combative approach to fast bowling, and has now turned his attention to mastering the more subtle art of swing bowling to complement his intimidatory arsenal. Siddle will need to be at the peak of his powers in order to achieve success on an Adelaide wicket renowned as both back - and heart-breaking for fast bowlers. He will be reunited with left-arm fast bowler Doug Bollinger for the first time since the Sydney Test in January - a match in which Australia defeat South Africa by 103 runs - after a knee injury forced out Ben Hilfenhaus. Siddle is not banking on Australia replicating their three-day Brisbane victory from Friday. Only one team - the West Indian side of 1951 - have lost at the Adelaide Oval before the fourth day, and the lower bounce should better suit Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who failed in both innings at the Gabba.

Making matters more difficult for Australia's fast bowlers is the recovery of Ramnaresh Sarwan from the back injury that ruled him out of the first Test. Sarwan completed a full batting session in the Adelaide Oval nets on Tuesday, and team officials are confident the veteran batsman will be available to play from Friday.

 
Vettori warns against complacency

(New Zealand v Pakistan, 2nd Test, Wellington)

Daniel Vettori, the New Zealand captain, has warned against complacency on the eve of the second Test against Pakistan in Wellington. New Zealand emerged victors by 32 runs in a tense game in Dunedin but a 1-0 lead in the series, said Vettori, speaking from past experience, was no reason to let their guard down.

"There is need for improvement, and a need for us not to get caught up in that [the win in the first Test]," Vettori said. "There is a series that needs to be won, we went 1-0 up against England and lost the series by resting on our laurels. There is a desire in the need to celebrate the Dunedin win but it's not the end of the summer."

England beat New Zealand 2-1 last year, after losing the first Test in Hamilton. It was in Wellington that they levelled the series before going on to win the rubber in Napier, the venue for the next Test against Pakistan. Both teams, however, are short of practice due to persistent rain. Vettori also saw a greater role for the allrounder Grant Elliott, who bowled just two overs in the first Test and has, so far, failed to replicate his good bowling record in ODIs in the longer format. "There's hope that Grant can have a bigger role," he said. "He's worked harder to get ready for that. If I can manage those three seamers, that should be handy."

The Basin Reserve in Wellington will be hosting it's 50th Test, and Vettori said he had plenty of fond memories of playing at the venue. "It's one of my favourite grounds. It's got a lot of history and its purely a cricket ground." He singled out the Test match against India in 1999 as among his best memories, when New Zealand fought back from a difficult position to win the game. "When you play a Test match like the last one in Dunedin, you remember them and also the grounds you played them in," he said.

Alviro Petersen, Ryan McLaren and Friedel de Wet called up

Alviro Petersen, Ryan McLaren and Friedel de Wet are the new faces in an expanded 15-man squad for the first Test against England in Centurion starting on December 16. South Africa's selectors dropped the opening batsman Imraan Khan and allrounder Albie Morkel, who featured in South Africa's starting line-up from their last Test in March, with Graeme Smith and Morne Morkel returning.

Petersen, the Lions batsman, has been South Africa's leading run-scorer during the one-day series, scoring three half-centuries in three innings. McLaren, the Eagles allrounder, has similarly been impressing during the limited-overs leg of England's tour. de Wet, the Lions fast bowler, has yet to represent his country but is one marked out for the future. Wayne Parnell, who was in a 12-man pool for that last Test against Australia this year, has been retained. The first Test will be Makhaya Ntini's 100th, making him the fifth player to reach the landmark. Jacques Kallis (130), Mark Boucher (125), Shaun Pollock (108) and Gary Kirsten (101).

The South African squad will gather on December 11 for a pre-Test series camp at Potchefstroom's Senwes Park.

South Africa squad: Graeme Smith (capt), Hashim Amla, Mark Boucher (wk), AB de Villiers, Friedel de Wet, JP Duminy, Paul Harris, Jacques Kallis, Ryan McLaren, Morne Morkel, Makhaya Ntini, Wayne Parnell, Alviro Petersen, Ashwell Prince, Dale Steyn.