SOUTH Africa have reprised painful memories of the 2005 Ashes by recruiting former England coach Duncan Fletcher as a consultant for the Proteas' forthcoming tour of Australia.
The series, billed as the battle for Test supremacy, has been tinged with spice from the outset, with opposing coaches Mickey Arthur and Tim Nielsen asserting their teams' credentials for the No.1 ranking and highlighting flaws in each other's armoury.
Now, with the architect of England's 2005 Ashes victory involved, expect tensions to escalate further.
Fletcher repeatedly riled the Australians three years ago, not least with his use of substitute fielders. Tempers flared when the then-England coach allegedly winked at Ricky Ponting from the Trent Bridge pavilion after the Australian captain was run out by Gary Pratt, a little known reserve fielder who subsequently shot to national prominence. Ponting exacted revenge with a 5-0 sweep in the ensuring Ashes series, but Fletcher's ability to get under the Australians' skins remains.
Fletcher yesterday was diplomatic when asked of his new appointment. The former Zimbabwean captain will travel with the South Africans during their current Test series against Bangladesh, then accompany the team to Perth for 12 days before the first Test at the WACA Ground.
"Australia have had a tough time in India but they have proved before that they can bounce back," Fletcher said. "They are missing a couple of players but they have proved their class time and again."
Arthur said Fletcher's record against Australia was a big factor in his recruitment. Arthur has previously declared his team ready to seize the No.1 Test ranking from Australia, and is capable of inflicting Australia's first home series defeat since the 1992-93 season.
"From a team perspective his experience should be invaluable and, obviously, his knowledge of the Aussies and their conditions is exceptional," Arthur told South African media. "He [was] the only coach to have won a series against them for a decade and a half, so it didn't make any sense to me to have him sitting in Cape Town not coaching.
"He'll be in team uniform. He's committed himself to the Proteas and will be in the green and gold along with the rest of us. The former Wallaby coach, Eddie Jones, worked as a consultant coach to Jake White before the Springboks won the World Cup in Paris last year, so there's a pretty good precedent for Duncan's role with us."
Fletcher could extend his contract for South Africa's Test series against England next year, but for now will concentrate on formulating a gameplan capable of rattling Australia at home. The Proteas will bring with them a pace line-up recently rated by India's coach, Gary Kirsten, as the best in the world, and well suited to the bouncy conditions of Perth.
"Duncan didn't come cheap, but then he shouldn't, not with his experience and track record," Arthur said. "I'm grateful to Cricket South Africa for finding the cash and to Duncan for making the commitment. I know how badly he has missed coaching for the last couple of years and I know how much energy and enthusiasm he will throw at the job."
Meanwhile, New Zealand keeper Brendon McCullum revealed he had fully recovered from back and foot injuries, and would take his place in the side for the first Test. McCullum, a potential game-breaking keeper-batsman in the Adam Gilchrist mould, was adamant Australia could be beaten.
"In comparison to the old Australia, they're definitely more vulnerable," he said. "It's the nature of losing three once-in-a-lifetime cricketers in Warne, Gilchrist and McGrath. Take that ability and class out of any side, it's going to take a little while for them to rebuild."
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