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First Aus-SA Test begins today

AFP, Perth
Australia are worried about losing a Test series at home and are under enormous pressure to perform after the Ashes defeat in England, South African captain Graeme Smith said here Thursday.
Speaking on the eve of the first Test that begins on Friday, Smith said his players had taken heart from the Australians' reaction to the so-called "war of words" leading up to the match.
"Even our comments, which were light-hearted in the beginning of the series, which were that it was obvious to see their middle-order is inexperienced in international cricket, has created large reaction," Smith said.
"So that tells us in our mind that they're also scared of losing in Australia.
"There's massive pressure on them and we've taken heart from that and it's certainly given us confidence going forward into the Test match."
Smith, who was clearly pumped-up for the match, denied his team had taken part in any 'sledging' before the Test despite widespread coverage of verbal barbs between the two sides.
"We haven't made one comment about sledging," he said.
Australian captain Ricky Ponting said he had a good relationship with Smith and did not read anything into the exchanges ahead of the three-Test series.
"There's been a lot said and built up about this series already," Ponting said. "There's been a few things said about off the field leading into this Test match but I think that's finished now."
He said it was not his style to criticise opposing teams but added that his team had been motivated by comments from the South African camp.
"I'm not one for coming out and making statements about opposition players or anything like that -it's just not the way I go about playing cricket," he said.
"A lot of our players are like that and it's pretty apparent this week that a lot of the South Africans don't mind it either.
LIKELY TEAMS
AUSTRALIA: Ricky Ponting (captain), Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Brad Hodge, Michael Hussey, Andrew Symonds, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Nathan Bracken, Glenn McGrath, Stuart Clark (12th man)
SOUTH AFRICA: Graeme Smith (captain), AB de Villiers, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Ashwell Prince, Justin Kemp, Mark Boucher, Shaun Pollock, Makhaya Ntini, Andre Nel, Charle Lange-veldt, Jacques Rudolph (12th man)