We’ve missed Hansie as a leader — Rhodes

Brisbane, August 13: South African batsman Jonty Rhodes says two treks through cricket's hard times have the tourists primed for this week...

Brisbane, August 13: South African batsman Jonty Rhodes says two treks through cricket’s hard times have the tourists primed for this week’s One-Day series against Australia in Melbourne.

Australia will start favourites but Rhodes warned that the Proteas were confident after fighting back in Sri Lanka to draw the three-Test series, which finished last week.

It was a heartening result, especially with South African cricket reeling from the revelations that former captain Cronje took money from Indian bookmakers.

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Rhodes, the only survivor from South Africa’s 1992 World Cup squad, admitted he missed his friend Cronje but insisted the Proteas were not buckling beneath the pressure.

“There’s a lot that has happened in the last couple of months but we’ve been able to put that behind us,” Rhodes said here on Sunday.

“We’ve missed Hansie as a leader — he was a really good captain — but that’s the kind of game cricket is. Guys retire or leave the game and you have to move on.

“One of the real strengths of the team is that we’ve stuck together in adversity and it’s shown. We’re pretty battle-hardened now.”

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The South Africans’ greatest moment in Sri Lanka came in the second Test when the home team was on the verge of sealing the series 2-0.

“On two occasions in that Test match we were dead and buried and we could have packed it up,” Rhodes said.

“But what happened sums up our character. The guys dug really deep and drew the series and now we’re hoping to take that form into these One-Dayers.”

The South Africans have spent the last two days here adjusting to Australian conditions after grappling with the turning Sri Lankan tracks which helped local star Muttiah Muralitharan wreak havoc.

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“We’re just looking forward to seeing the ball come on to the bat, regardless of pace. I’ve been facing a lot of leg spin and off-spin in the last few months so I haven’t faced a lot above waist height.

“Most of the wickets have been pretty dusty so it’s good to get back in nets that are good standard.”

The Proteas have the advantage of coming to Australia in cricket mode while their opponents have been forced to dust off the off-season cobwebs with practice matches in Brisbane this weekend.

But Rhodes said he believed the Australians would not be disadvantaged, despite the break of almost four months since they were last together for a 2-1 series loss in South Africa.