Clarke says Australian fast bowlers raring to take on Proteas in Adelaide Test

Sydney, Nov 21(ANI): Australia captain Michael Clarke has said his fast bowlers are fully prepared to take on South Africa in the second Test match of the series in Adelaide, which starts on Thursday.

Ben Hilfenhaus gained a lucky reprieve for the second Test, saved by the unforgiving dry track and sapping conditions at the Adelaide Oval.

Safety-first thinking and a little faith from Clarke helped Hilfenhaus keep Mitchell Starc out of the side, as the Australian attack aims to hammer home their perceived advantage over the Proteas' batsmen.

The captain saw enough in Brisbane with the exception of a dire first day and from the last Australian summer to suggest the Tasmanian was still the man for the job.

"We feel our attack improved as the game went on in Brisbane. This attack has had success - especially last summer against India in these conditions and we're confident we've picked the right attack to take 20 wickets," the Age quoted Clarke, as saying.

"We've got a good mixture of aggression but also bowlers who can bowl long spells and dry runs up if required," he added.

"I don't think it was clear with Starc and Hilfenhaus. There was certainly talk about Starky coming into the eleven ... he's been bowling beautifully," he said.

Clarke added: "The advantage is all these three quicks (Hilfenhaus, James Pattinson and Peter Siddle) have played a fair bit of cricket out here." (ANI)