Elgar unswayed by talk of Australia malaise

South Africa opener Dean Elgar has rejected former Proteas skipper Graeme Smith's withering assessment of a struggling Australia following the home side's defeat in Perth.

Dean Elgar has said Australia possesses the ability to bounce back in the second Test.

South Africa opener Dean Elgar has rejected former Proteas skipper Graeme Smith's withering assessment of a struggling Australia.

Smith had claimed the hosts' collapse and > defeat in the first Test in Perth demonstrated "a lack of confidence or self-belief" within the Australia set-up, where "there is something that's not right", according to the former batsman.  Elgar, who struck a second-innings century at the WACA as Australia lost the opening match of a Test series on home soil for the first time since 1988, was wary of buying into talk of a malaise among his opponents.

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'Dangerous side'

"If he [Smith] has said that, I'm sure that's just his personal dig," Elgar said ahead of the second Test, which starts in Hobart on Saturday. "I don't think there is a culture issue within the Australian side. We know they're still a dangerous team and they can bounce back in the second Test."

Asked if Australia has lost some of its previously famed aggression, he said: "Yes and no. We know that the Australian side is still a very dangerous side. Them being beaten in the first Test is working in their favour because they can bounce back, and we're aware of their bouncebackability.

"It's just human nature to withdraw into yourself because of what you're going through. But they can bounce back hard. Complacency is a big thing for us. That's something we've addressed as a team. It's a new Test, a new challenge and a new venue for us."