A Protea's guide to beating Australia

The coach who plotted Australia's most recent home Test series loss has revealed his blueprint on the eve of the MagellanAshes: watch Josh Hazlewood fastidiously and don't be afraid to give Steve Smith exactly what he wants.

Australia's most recent home summer started with defeats against South Africa in Perth and Hobart; the latter starting with the hosts being skittled for just 85 and ending with all manner of soul-searching, a new chairman of selectors and five changes to the XI.

Those games proved a hot topic of conversation when the Proteas and England shared the customary post-series beverages earlier this year.

Now former South Africa coach Russell Domingo has given a frank insight into some of his teams' plans.

"They bully you into submission but if you can control the run rate and get some movement, you have got a chance.," Domingo told English newspaper The Observer.

"Technically Australia batters will struggle if you do, as they are used to flat pitches and free scoring.

"Nullify the impact of those two (Smith and David Warner) and there is a good chance of getting them for under 200."

That is easier said than done. Smith is widely regarded as the world's best batsman, while Warner belted a ton before lunch on day one of his most recent Test in Australia.

Smith loves it when the opposition tries to dismiss him lbw or bowled, noting in his recent biography "it means they will be bowling to what I regard as one of my strengths".

Nonetheless, that is the tactic Domingo endorses for the classy right-hander who averages almost 60.

"Smith is a fantastic player and, at No.4, the key is get him against the new ball," Domingo said.

"Go for the jugular ... bowl straight for lbws or bowled.

"With Warner, he can seriously hurt you. We bowled pretty much into his thigh pad for as long as possible, as he'll cut anything fourth stump or wider for four. We closed down his scoring options - basically frustrated him out."

Domingo's advice flies in the face of England spearhead Stuart Broad's plan for Smith this summer.

"Obviously we had plans for him in England (during the 2015 Ashes in the UK), but it was quite clear in England that if you don't get him out early he seems to get big scores, and probably even more so in Australia because the pitches stay flatter for a bit longer," Broad said earlier this month.

"You hear all sorts of theories from people, particularly before the last Ashes series – bowl straight at him, try to hit his leg stump, come around the wicket to him, bowl yorkers - leg stump, have five (fielders) on the leg side.

"But I don't think his stats suggest that he gets out lbw and bowled very often, unless the pitch is going up and down.

"He's got huge scoring areas from straight, so I think we have to look for his outside edge up until about day three and then, if the pitches start going slightly up and down or crack like the Gabba can do … that can bring the lbw in.

"But if the bounce is true, I don't think Smith is an lbw or bowled candidate so we have to look for his outside edge."

Much has been made of Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins' express pace but Domingo pinpointed Hazlewood as "the big thing" for England's inexperienced batsmen to watch out for.

"He's fantastically skilled ... it was a case of nullifying the effect of Hazlewood and looking to score against the rest," he said.

"We felt that Starc, while he's terrific when on top, he would give us chances to score."

2017-18 International Fixtures:

Magellan Ashes Series

First Test Gabba, November 23-27. Buy tickets

Second Test Adelaide Oval, December 2-6 (Day-Night). Buy tickets

Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Buy tickets

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Buy tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Buy tickets

Gillette ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Buy tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Buy tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Buy tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Buy tickets

Fifth ODI Perth TBC, January 28. Join the ACF

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Buy tickets

Gillette T20 INTL Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Buy tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Buy tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Buy tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 13

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21