Date-stamped : 09 Mar97 - 22:26 7 March 1997 Wessels warns changes needed or SA will be annihilated by Aussies Michael Owen Smith Cape Town - South Africa will be annihilated by Australia in the remainder of the Test series if they do not recapture the mental high ground. That was the warning from Kepler Wessels, who represented Aus- tralia in the isolation years and then came home to captain South Africa against them in two Test series. "This is the way the Australians always play," he said. "They do their utmost to gain the mental edge from the outset of any series and if you let them do that, then they will annihilate you. "I was tremendously disappointed at the way we let the Australi- ans come at us at the Wanderers without our taking the fight straight back to them. "If you think that we drew two series against them three seasons ago when they had a stronger team than they have now, then the Wanderers result is truly disappointing. "It means they have got stronger and we have not. If anything, we have gone backwards. "Bringing Brian McMillan back into the side will do a lot to strengthen us mentally but at the same time he cannot be expected to do it all on his own. He is going to need help and the other senior players are going to have to stand up and be counted." Wessels said he felt it was essential for the selectors to make changes. "When you get into this situation it often helps to have a bit of fresh blood in the side to give a new momentum. "I know he is one of my own players but I would advocate very strongly that the selectors go for Louis Koen. He can bat any- where in the order but specifically at No 3 or No 5 and he has the sort of courage South Africa needs right now. "Adam Bacher is also probably worth a go as opener even if the selectors have reservations about this being the right time to blood him in that position. Now is not the time for caution." Wessels was highly critical of the general batting approach say- ing there was not the right balance in selecting which balls to attack and which to defend. Of the bowling he felt the attack was far too predictable and that there was a definite need either for a genuine swing bowler or a lefthander. "Allan Donald is the only one who is bringing variety to our pace attack at the moment. The Australians are used to playing the Shaun Pollocks and Lance Kluseners every day in Sheffield Shield cricket. "A swing bowler is a must for Port Elizabeth and the selectors would do well to have a good look at Fanie de Villiers this week- end. Again he will bring toughness and experience into the set- up." Wessels said he would not be the least bit surprised to find a lot of grass left on the St George`s Park wicket. "It is an old habit that South Africa has never got rid off," he said. "As soon as things start going wrong, they always use the playing surface to even things up. "I would be very surprised if the telephone lines between Johan- nesburg and Port Elizabeth have not been buzzing pretty hot since the end of the Wanderers test. "It is a bit of a risk because the pitch could be lively for a day but it is then likely to flatten out very quickly and winning the toss could be too much of a gam- ble. "If the wind blows from the west as it normally does, then the pitch will lose its moisture very quickly." There is little doubt Wessels and Hansie Cronje will have some pretty serious discussions. Source :: The Star Contributed by Tony.Hassett (hassett@cricinfo.com)