South African skipper Graeme Smith has promised to personally blunt Brett Lee after blowing away his Australian woes with a swashbuckling batting assault.
For once, the brash young captain let his bat do the talking as he bounced back from the doldrums with an unbeaten 89 (58 balls) in South Africa's two-run win over Australia in yesterday's Twenty20 international.
His innings belied his form against Australia earlier this summer when he became Lee's batting bunny.
Lee dismissed Smith the last three times the pair clashed in one-day internationals in Australia, capping off a terrible Australian tour for the South African captain.
Lee also has had Smith's measure in two of his past four Test innings, but the left-hander claims he can take the Australian spearhead down on home soil.
"I've had success against him in the past, you know," Smith said.
"Hopefully, I can get the better of him here.
"He had moments over me in Australia and I've worked hard since I've been back.
"He's a key man and I see myself as a key batter in the South African side, so it's going to be exciting."
Lee has dismissed Smith more often than any other Australian bowler in one-day matches and the clash between the two could give either team a winning edge, especially as Australia goes into battle without Glenn McGrath.
The two men meet again at Centurion today in the first of five one-dayers, and both are looking for a psychological edge ahead of the three-Test series next month.
Smith feels he has turned the corner on his woeful batting form after seeking specialist help to iron out major technical flaws.
He knows it is essential his footwork and his shots are ticking like clockwork if he is to get the better of Lee throughout the series.
"To face someone at 150km/h you have to keep your mind clear and focus on the ball," Smith said.
"Obviously, I struggled a little bit with balance in Australia, so I've worked hard on that.
"Balance is a crucial part of any batter's game and one of my strengths is that.
"It was kind of tough what I went through and I've worked hard on getting it right."
Smith made some bold statements when he arrived in Australia at the start of summer, but has been more restrained after recent criticism from several high-profile former players, including Kepler Wessels and Clive Rice.
South Africa was embarrassed in Australia -- failing to win a Test or qualify for the VB Series finals, despite having the better of the Australians in the early stages of the tour.
But Smith insists he has not gone into his shell, claiming he is readying himself for another round of verbal warfare before the first Test in Cape Town next month.
Again, it is Shane Warne who will be in his sights.
"I'm sure there will be a few mind games played and I'm sure Warne will definitely have something to say," Smith said.
"I think there are 45 million South Africans who will help me out, so I don't need to say anything to him."
- BEN DORRIES