Melbourne, Dec. 31: Former Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne has said that Australia''s team spirit will undergo an acid test after the demoralising home series loss to South Africa.

"The real team spirit will be tested. You''ve got to not get insular and not just worry about your own game. The series is gone and they are going to be under pressure. South Africa has copped some beatings here before, but they have really deserved to win. They have been the best side. South Africa have won the big moments and that has been the major difference in this series compared to others," Warne said on Channel 9 commentary.

There have been signs this series that Australian players have started to turn on each other, with skipper Ricky Ponting heavily criticized for his body language in Perth.

Ponting faced more captaincy questions yesterday when he did not open the bowling with main strike weapon Mitchell Johnson, preferring the injured Brett Lee and rookie Peter Siddle. (ANI)