England pace bowler Steve Harmison will be hoping to see as little as possible of Graeme Smith over the coming month.
How long they spend face to face, indeed, is likely to have a profound effect on the outcome of England's five-match Test series against South Africa which starts in Port Elizabeth on Friday.
The South African captain had it all his own way last year when he showed a healthy appetite for English bowling.
It took England nine hours and 277 runs, still the highest Test score by a South African, to dismiss him when they first crossed swords at Edgbaston in July 2003. Harmison managed one wicket for 104.
The Durham bowler fared even worse in the second innings, when Smith cracked 85 off 70 balls and things did not improve in the second Test, Smith making 259 in his side's innings victory while Harmison took one for 103 in 22 laboured overs.
Smith was less prolific in the rest of the series but, while Harmison improved, he failed to dismiss the left-handed opener.
Much, however, has happened in the intervening 15 months.
{{/usCountry}}Much, however, has happened in the intervening 15 months.
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