Sydney, Dec. 8 : Australian cricket coach Tim Nielsen has admitted his pacers need to improve their ability to reverse swing, and is confident of an improved old-ball performance against South Africa.

Nielsen concedes Australia''s pace bowlers have been sluggish in identifying the precise moment to abandon conventional swing for reverse, and have paid a heavy price.

"We will play the conditions as they present themselves, and change our plans quickly if we need to," Nielsen said.

Perth, Dec. 8 : South African cricket team coach Mickey Arthur has said that his team is aiming to become the first team to defeat Australia on home soil after 16 years.

The West Indians were the last team to inflict such a defeat in 1992-93.

The Proteas, who arrived in Australia on Sunday for a Test Series against Australia, appear well equipped to challenge the hosts.

Speaking to reporters at Perth Airport yesterday, Arthur spoke of the growing confidence within his squad ahead of the first Test at the WACA Ground on December 17.

Mumbai, Dec. 8 : The International Cricket Council (ICC) is keeping a close watch on the developments in the Indian subcontinent in the run-up to the 2011 World Cup.

According to sources, if the existing tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad fail to subside in the wake of last month’s terror attacks, the ICC could have a rethink on whether to allow the tournament to take place in the region.

The toughening of stand by the Government of India towards Pakistan, following the terror attacks in Mumbai, is being viewed with some kind of seriousness in Dubai, the headquarters of the ICC.

Brisbane, Dec. 8 : Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds is preparing for another feisty Test summer against the South Africans, following last year’s run-ins with Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh.

According to the Daily Telegraph, there is no love lost between Symonds and South Africans, whom he has labelled as "humourless".

Several of the Proteas top players have vivid memories of clashing with Symonds during Australia''s 2006 tour of South Africa, and some privately admit they cannot stand the controversial all rounder.

Abu Dhabi, Dec. 8 : England''s cricketers have decided to undertake the tour of India for a two Test series beginning from December 11, but not before some reported high drama behind closed doors.

According to former Test player Derek Pringle, the drama surrounding the tour ratcheted up around 8.15 p. m. in the evening on Sunday with the late arrival of the two Morrises, Hugh the general manager of the England team and Sean the chief executive of the Players Cricketers Association, and security officer Reg Dickason, the Test squad, and coaches decamping to the team room.

Dubai, Dec 7 : The International Cricket Council (ICC) has made a change to the previously announced umpire appointments for the upcoming Test series in India.

Pakistani nationals require city-specific visas when travelling to India. This week Asad Rauf, the Emirates Elite Panel umpire who was to officiate in both Tests, received his passport back with a visa appropriate for the original venues. With the change in venues he required a new visa but due to the weekend, followed by the Eid al-Adha holidays, there was insufficient time for one to be issued, so he has had to step down from the first Test.

He will be replaced by Billy Bowden, also of the Emirates Elite Panel, who will officiate in the first Test in Chennai, beginning on December 11.