Perth, Dec. 12 : Former Australian pace great Dennis Lillee once described a teenage Mitchell Johnson as a "once in a generation" bowler, and now seems intent that his young protégé fulfills his ultimate prophecy.

Lillee met Johnson yesterday to discuss tactics for bowling at the WACA Ground, passing on advice and experience from 15 years of bowling on the pace-friendly surface.

"It''s good to have his advice. We just spoke about how things have been going for me at the moment and also just bowling at the WACA,"The Age quoted Johnson, as saying.

Perth, Dec. 12 : Australian quick Mitchell Johnson says that he is taking inspiration from his mentor Dennis Lillee to counter the visiting South African team both verbally and on the field.

Johnson, the fourth-leading Test wicket-taker in 2008 with 50 scalps, said Lillee has passed on advice for putting the heat on the South African batsmen in the first Test at the WACA next week.

Johnson has played only one Test at the WACA and is yet to make his first-class debut for WA after crossing over from Queensland.

Perth, Dec. 11 : Australian left-armer Mitchell Johnson has warned South Africa that the home side's pace attack will also be fast and dangerous on the bouncy WACA wicket in next week's first Test.

Johnson, who has been in brilliant form with 50 wickets in 2008 including 14 at 11 in the recent 2-0 whitewash of New Zealand, says the tourists shouldn't get too carried away with their own pace attack of Dale Steyn (60 wickets this year), Morne Morkel (37) and Makhaya Ntini (46).

"There has always been talk about the WACA wicket being back to its old self," The Age quoted Johnson, as saying.

Perth/Dubai, Dec.

Perth, Australia  - Serena Williams is booked for a series of three exhibitions this week in the United States, but that fact has not kept the world number two from withdrawing as defending champion at next month's Hopman Cup.

Williams and James Blake had been due to defend their title at the eight-nation mixed team competition starting January 3.

But Williams, claiming a hamstring injury, said she would be unable to participate. Her place in the team of five-time champion US will be taken by world number 50 Meghann Shaughnessy.

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.