Perth, Dec. 14 : Former West Indian pace bowler Michael Holding believes that the present South African pace attack is the most ferocious to arrive Down Under in almost 20 years.

The Sunday herald Sun quoted Holding as saying that quicks Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini, Morne Morkel and Monde Zondeki could expose Australia to the express speed generated by the feared Windies outfits of the 1980s and ''90s.

Australia has not lost a Test series at home since 1992-93, when West Indies trio Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh and Ian Bishop terrorised the home team with their cocktail of raw pace and steepling bounce.

"As a fast bowling unit, I would say this is the fastest bowling unit that Australia have come across in quite a while, probably since the West Indies," said Holding, who took
249 wickets in 60 Tests at the world-class average of 23.69.

"Australia have been used to facing quick individuals. Shane Bond and Shoaib have destroyed Australian teams with their pace, but while they were extremely quick, they didn''t have a lot of quick bowlers to support them.

"This South African attack has more than one quick. I expect them to go well in Australia - if they get it right as a group, the Australian top order will have some troubles."

Holding believes the Proteas have the weaponry to roll Australia, but said accuracy would prove as vital. (ANI)