Smith says speed trial awaits India

JOHANNESBURG, Dec 14 (Reuters) South Africa captain Graeme Smith has warned India to expect a trial by fire in the first test tomorrow.

The South Africans have omitted spinners from their squad, confirming that they will attack the Indians with an all-pace attack on the traditionally fast and bouncy Wanderers pitch.

If Smith is correct, India's batsmen will take on an attack that is reaching top form.

''It's a big call to make here and now but our attack is really hitting its straps,'' Smith told a news conference today.

Smith was particularly impressed with fast bowler Dale Steyn, who has recovered from a quadriceps strain in time for the first test of South Africa's home campaign.

''He (Steyn) adds a new dimension,'' Smith said. ''(Andre) Nel is hitting 140 kilometres an hour, Makhaya (Ntini) is hitting 140, but Dale is up there at 150.

''He gets the ball to swing at pace, which is always a huge asset.'' In South Africa's last test at the Wanderers, against New Zealand in May, Steyn took three for 43 and four for 91.

Narrow cracks were visible on the pitch on Thursday and if they widen significantly they will add to the challenge.

''There are always cracks at the Wanderers,'' Smith said.

''With the heat around they will play a role and it's been hot here for a while.'' India's frailty against fast bowling on responsive pitches was starkly exposed in the one-day series, which South Africa won 4-0.

India have recalled Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman for the test series in an attempt to add steel to their brittle batting order.

Smith said Ganguly would ''add a bit of hardness and maybe some fighting spirit'', but he remained confident that his team could handle anything the visitors threw at them.

''India have some world class performers, but there are some guys in our side who've knocked over big names in other sides and they are looking forward to doing so again,'' he said.

India captain Rahul Dravid told a news conference it would be premature to write his team off after the one-day series.

''People have written us off, which is a dangerous thing to do with the quality of players we have,'' Dravid said.

''Maybe people don't expect much from us, which gives us something to prove.'' In contrast to South Africa, India are likely to pick two slow bowlers in off spinner Harbhajan Singh and leg spinner Anil Kumble.

''There are a few cracks, but I don't think it's going to turn viciously. It's quite firm, hard and baked dry,'' Dravid said.

''In fact, if the pitch goes up and down it can be more difficult to play the seamers on the fourth and fifth day. The seamers might be a bigger factor than the spinners.'' REUTERS SAM BST1923