There was a low-key reception for the Australian cricket team who arrived in South Africa on Monday afternoon for a tour that will include five one-day internationals (ODIs) and three Tests.
The manager of the South African cricket team, Goolam Rajah, and a United Cricket Board official were on hand to welcome the Australians and direct them to their bus. The Australians chose not to hold a press conference on arrival, but would meet the media on Tuesday morning.
Photographers and television crews recorded the visitors’ arrival, and a few eager youngsters gathered around, hoping to add to their autograph collections.
For those hoping to see fast-bowler Brett Lee, there was disappointment — Lee slipped into South Africa a few days ago, and Adam Gilchrist, Damien Martin and Brad Hogg flew in from Perth on Sunday.
There was a ripple of applause when Australian skipper Ricky Ponting appeared, and Andrew Symonds also created a stir when he came through with dreadlocks in place, but without his trademark white sunscreen.
The Australians open their tour on Friday with a Standard Bank Pro20 match against South Africa at the Wanderers. It will be South Africa’s third international match in this form of the game, and captain Graeme Smith will be hoping to break his duck — South Africa have yet to win a Twenty20 match.
However, the selectors have called up several players who did well in the provincial tournament that ended on Sunday, including Loots Bosman, Roger Telemachus and AB de Villiers.
The more serious part of the tour begins on Sunday, with the first of the one-day internationals, to be played at Supersport Park in Centurion. The other ODIs will be played in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban and Johannesburg.
The three Tests will be played in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg. — Sapa