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Not a single South African player knows what it is to lose a Test series in Australia. Not a single Australian player knows what it is to win a home series against South Africa. For a pair of transitional teams, that is a significant fact.Add to it another: Australia have been clean swept in their most recent Test series in Sri Lanka, then swept again - by the Proteas no less - in an ODI series in South Africa. Throw in a pair of underdone Australian pacemen, a porous middle order and a fielding side far less formidable than many who went before them, and the picture is clear: this is not going to be easy for the hosts.South Africa, of course, are not the side they were. For the first time in more than a decade they are not being led to Australia by the commanding figure of Graeme Smith. AB de Villiers isnt here, and Morne Morkel is not yet 100% fit. But there is a sense of regeneration about the side, of setting new goals and forming a new identity. In junior years Faf du Plessis was often captain of the same teams de Villiers played in. Having gained his chance through injury, du Plessis, first seen by Australians with his serenely dead bat in Adelaide four years ago, now looks a natural leader.For Steven Smith, this is the series in which he faces a first major test at home. Well as he and his teams have performed against India, New Zealand and the West Indies, those sides boasted not a single series win down under between them over the past 23 years. South Africas methods are suited to Australia, much as the reverse is true on the other side of the Indian Ocean. Smith has taken solace in a wider record of home success - unbeaten since the Proteas last visit in 2012.Traditionally we have played well at home and its about us knowing what we do well here, he said. We have scored big first innings runs and that is going to be crucial for us this year again.Bowling aggressively to the tail, not being afraid to get it up there and intimidate them a little bit. To the top order consistently bowl good areas and challenge them on wickets that traditionally bounce a bit more than they are used to. It is important for us to do that this summer.Obviously we havent come off the back of much great cricket, South Africa was disappointing and Sri Lanka was as well, thats gone, weve left that behind and we are focusing on what we have can control now and that is this summer.Much talk has centred upon the mental battle, whether it be Dale Steyns familiar refrain about cutting the head off the snake in reference to Smith, or David Warner hoping to see the visitors pacemen losing their collective rag with a flurry of short balls at the WACA Ground. Smith has reiterated his desire to see his men strut around the middle like they own the place, not retreating into themselves as happened in Sri Lanka.Its about making sure that each individual can get the best out of themselves and have a presence about them, Smith said. Everyone does it differently, for someone it might be about getting into a verbal contest with a bowler to get themselves going. Or with a batter as a bowler.For me I dont like to say a great deal its more about making sure that my body language is right and Im puffing my chest out and looking like Im out there and I own the place. Its about each individual knowing what gets them going, and when they do that its going to be best for the team as well.For well over a decade, that approach tended to unnerve the South Africans in Australia. Both sides knew who had the edge when matches reached their pointy end, and it was the team of Mark Taylor, Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting. But du Plessis leads a generation unfamiliar with that kind of mental block: as uncomfortable as the Australians will try to make things for the visitors, they will know how to push back effectively. We are a team that respects the opposition, no matter where we go in the world, du Plessis said. If its gets to a tough stage in the game, which is what Test cricket is all about, and it gets a bit loud out there in the middle, its just about soaking it in and understanding that you have to work your way to get the momentum on your side again.Thats Test cricket, thats normal for me. I think thats more the thing people forget to focus on, that Test cricket is like that. Its up and down. Then you are on top, then you are under pressure and you just got to soak it up and ride the wave until it gets on your side to put some pressure on the opposition.But the most pivotal factor in this series, and its opening match at the WACA, will be Mitchell Starc. Starc knows it, South Africa know it and Australia most certainly know it. Still nursing a deep cut to the left leg from a training mishap, Starc will push through some discomfort to try to be near his best and fastest. Smith said he will likely be using his most explosive asset in short bursts a la Mitchell Johnson.Id say there is a good chance of that, Smith said. He has traditionally done pretty well here at the WACA, I thought he bowled beautifully last year on a slow benign wicket, I would prefer this one to have some more pace and bounce to assist him out there.The Proteas are braced for impact, knowing that the ability to see out his spells will more than likely tell the tale. He is a fantastic bowler, du Plessis said. A guy that swings the ball and bowls quick, any captain would say thats something they would want in their team. Its important for us to make sure he doesnt get his tail up and doesnt get wickets. That would mean we put a big threat for Australia aside.Its important how we play him. If were going to win this series its going to be how well weve played him in those short bursts. Hes a wicket-taker so he needs to come on and get wickets. We as a team understand that. We need to make sure we get through those periods.Happy history down under should make a difference to the Proteas, and recent failures will trouble Australia. It remains to be seen how much all that will matter in the fraction of a second it takes for Starcs missiles to reach the other end of the pitch. Nike Blazer Cheap . The 28-year-old from Calgary matched his career best after missing just one shot in his two rounds of shooting in the mens 10-kilometre sprint competition. Smith finished in 23 minutes 15. Wholesale Blazers . The Islanders dealt Thomas Vanek to the Montreal Canadiens after less than a year on Long Island. Meanwhile, the Oilers dealt long-time sniper Ales hemsky to the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday for a fifth-round pick in 2014 and a third-rounder in 2015. http://www.cheapnikeblazer.com/ . In the response filed Wednesday to the complaint by 30-year-old Alexander Bradley, attorneys say the former University of Florida player is invoking his Fifth Amendment right that protects people from incriminating themselves. Nike Blazer Sale Online . Now, with Game 6 set for Fenway Park and an 8:07 p.m. ET first pitch, the Detroit Tigers face the unenviable task of having to beat the Boston Red Sox twice, on the road, to advance to the World Series. Nike Blazer Clearance . -- Anaheim Ducks defenceman Luca Sbisa will be out at least six weeks with a torn tendon in his right hand. RALEIGH, N.C. -- Ryan Finley looked at ease as North Carolina States starting quarterback. Of course, he didnt need to do a lot of heavy lifting with Jaylen Samuels and Matt Dayes repeatedly getting to the end zone.Samuels and Dayes combined to score five touchdowns to help N.C. State beat William & Mary 48-14 on Thursday night, an easy win to open the season and build confidence with Finley running the Wolfpacks new offense.Finley had battled Jalan McClendon through preseason camp for the starting job. The graduate transfer from Boise State did enough to get the first gameday shot, then directed touchdown drives on his four first-half series to start Dave Doerens fourth season.At the end of the day we just went out and executed and got our athletes the ball in space, said Finley, who completed 17 of 21 passes for 174 yards and two scores.Steve Cluley ran and threw for scores for the Tribe (0-1), who came in ranked No. 10 in the Championship Subdivision ranks. But they couldnt keep up in a 21-point second quarter by the Wolfpack that may have also solidified Finleys hold on the starting job in the offense installed by Eli Drinkwitz -- who coached Finley at Boise State last year.Finley made a series of easy throws and distributed the ball to playmakers Dayes and Samuels, completing his first nine passes.Hes just got command, Doeren said. Hes not nervous at all. He just played. And I thought he looked really comfortable.Meanwhile, McClendon made a costly mistake in his first series. He rolled right toward the sideline under pressure, then threw late and high for an interception. The redshirt sophomore didnt make it back on the field again until the fourth quarter.William & Mary had just 168 total yards, with top tailback Kendell Anderson getting just five touches after being questionable with a shoulder injury. Cluley threw two interceptions.It was a very physical game and it took its toll on us, Tribe coach Jimmye Laycock said. I like to think that we could have played better but dont know if we could have with as touugh as they are.ddddddddddddTHE TAKEAWAYWILLIAM & MARY: The Tribe opened with a long touchdown drive but things soon fell apart. Then again, its the kind of thing that can happen on the road against a Bowl Subdivision team. Move on.N.C. STATE: Doeren cautioned this week that the Week 1 starting QB wouldnt necessarily be starter all year. That makes Finleys performance little more than a good start in a gameday audition against an overmatched opponent for now, though Doeren acknowledged it also could mean another start next week.PENALTY PROBLEMWhile Doeren was unhappy with the Wolfpacks seven penalties for 80 yards, one stood out in particular.Junior defensive end Kentavius Street made a third-down sack but was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after ripping off his helmet to celebrate while motioning and pointing to the crowd. That gave the Tribe a first down and sent Street to the sideline, though Josh Jones bailed him out with an interception two plays later to avoid a score on a once-dead drive.Really disappointed, particularly on some of the stupid stuff, taking a helmet off after you get a big play, Doeren said. Act like youve been there before. Its stuff that weve got to get fixed and we will get it fixed this week.SUCCESSFUL RETURNDayes was in position to become the Wolfpacks first 1,000-yard rusher since 2002 last year before a foot injury sidelined him for the final five games. The senior ran 23 times for 138 yards and two touchdowns to go with a pair of catches for 18 yards.UP NEXTWILLIAM & MARY: The Tribe will aim to improve to 7-0 against instate program Hampton on the road.N.C. STATE: The Wolfpack wont have an easy trip to East Carolina, which will boast a rowdy crowd eager to see the Pirates stick it to their power-conference instate foe.---Follow Aaron Beard on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/aaronbeardap and the APs college football site at http://collegefootball.ap.org ' ' '