Proteas not concerned about Aussie mind games: Arthur

South Africa's cricket coach Mickey Arthur today said his wards were not concerned about the "mind games" being played by the visiting Australian side ahead of the first Test starting February 26 in Johannesburg.

Updated on: Feb 18, 2009, 16:34:10 IST

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South Africa's cricket coach Mickey Arthur today said his wards were not concerned about the "mind games" being played by the visiting Australian side ahead of the first Test starting February 26 in Johannesburg.

Following statements by Aussie captain, Ricky Ponting, and former Aussie coach John Buchanan that South Africa start favourites at home, Proteas Coach Mickey Arthur said he was least concerned about what the visitors were saying.

The two sides will play three Tests, two Twenty20 games, and five One-Day Internationals over the next two months.

"Our focus is to ensure we play good cricket," said Arthur, who guided the South Africans to triumphs in both the Test and one-day series during their recent tour to Australia.

"We're concentrating on our own game. That is one of the reasons that we achieved success in recent times. People underestimated our good performances against Bangladesh last year, but we were very happy because we knew we had played good cricket. We will not change this approach," he added.

When Ponting arrived with his team on Monday, he said the Proteas would be the overwhelming favourites on home soil.

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