Clarke plans to attack South Africa

Captain Michael Clarke wants Australia to maintain the rage in next month's three-Test series against top-ranked South Africa. Clarke's team physically and mentally bullied England en route to a 5-0 Ashes series whitewash this summer. The skipper concedes he will need to employ different strategies in order to upset the Proteas on their home soil but says his side will not stray from the aggressive approach that worked so well against England. "I think our tactics will be different to a certain extent, they're different players and they have different strengths and different weaknesses, so we'll assess each individual player but I don't think our brand of cricket will change," Clarke said. "I think the way we played against England is how Australia has had success over a long period of time. "Growing up as a kid that's how I saw the Australian cricket team play and that's a big part of why I want to see this team play in the same manner. "But it's about adapting and assessing conditions as well as knowing your opposition players, I think they're probably the two most important formulas to having success." The tourists will play their only warm-up game in Potchefstroom starting next Wednesday before the first Test starts on February 12 at Centurion in Pretoria. Clarke admits he is yet to finalise who will bat at number three in the series opener but hinted incumbent Shane Watson will get first crack at the contentious position against the Proteas. "I'll say no, because we're not at the first Test match yet and there's a lot of time before the first Test starts, but I think 'Watto' has done a pretty good job for us," the captain said when asked if he has settled on his number three. "I know he wants to bat there, he loves that extra responsibility. He's a senior player in our team. "I know we've got options in regards to Alex Doolan or Shaun Marsh who can both bat at three and have done through their careers for their states, and Shaun's batted at number three for Australia. "But I think 'Watto' has played pretty well for us to be honest. I know he's copped a little bit of criticism that he hasn't made as many runs as he would have liked in the first innings, but who has? "We'd all like a few more runs, that's for sure, but right now I'm certainly backing 'Watto' to have a fantastic series and lead by example. "He's played a lot of cricket, he's a senior player in our team, number three is an important role but I think it's nice that we have options though so we'll assess with the tour game. "We'll give guys an opportunity and I'll speak with Brad Haddin our vice-captain and we'll make a decision on what we think is best for the team." Paceman Jackson Bird (knee) and Marsh (calf) are both in some doubt for the tour after failing to fly out with the squad on Wednesday. Clarke is confident both players will be available to join the squad in time for the first Test, with a decision to be made in the coming days.