Ponting has a plan to neutralise Proteas star bat Duminy

Johannesburg, Feb.17 (ANI): Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting has revealed that he has developed a plan to counter the dominance of South Africa's young star batsman J.P. Duminy.

"He (Duminy) was probably the pick of their batsmen for the entire summer, and we've had a good opportunity to look at him for a long period of time. We've got some things up our sleeve, which we will hopefully be able to execute well if we get the opportunity. We'll see how he reacts and responds to what he has in store," warned Ponting.

Though the Proteas will start as favourites in the home series after inflicting a Test and ODI series loss to Australia in Australia, Ponting warned the over confidence could be the South African team's undoing.

"If we can get off to a great start over there - and with them being favourites and with lot of expectation from their people and their crowds - who knows, things could turn against them pretty quickly," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Ponting, as saying.

"There won't be any added pressure on us, maybe on South Africa with that [becoming No.1] at the back of their minds.

"They have probably been striving for a long time to be the No.1 Test team in the world, so maybe that will weigh on their minds more than ours," he said.

While most believe an inexperienced Australia will not return with the Test championship mace, the captain is confident the efforts of the Sydney Test victory can be repeated.

Young opener Phillip Hughes, leg-spinner Bryce McGain, all-rounder Marcus North and paceman Ben Hilfenhaus could all make their debuts during the series, while fast bowler Doug Bollinger has played only one Test. (ANI)