Graeme Smith

[Twodogs]

Has your opinion changed over this series?

I never thought much of him but after the way he handled his team and himself over the first two tests I'm wondering if it's not to late to get him to qualify for Australia. Well done Graeme Smith

[Sedat]

Re: Graeme Smith

Has your opinion changed over this series?

I never thought much of him but after the way he handled his team and himself over the first two tests I'm wondering if it's not to late to get him to qualify for Australia. Well done Graeme Smith

He's exactly the same age as Michael Clarke; he might end up scoring over 15,000 test runs before he's done.

Captaincy has improved significantly in the last 18 months and he has started to understand where his off-stump is.

[GVGjr]

Re: Graeme Smith

Has your opinion changed over this series?

I never thought much of him but after the way he handled his team and himself over the first two tests I'm wondering if it's not to late to get him to qualify for Australia. Well done Graeme Smith

I rated him highly before this series and if anything he has improved his value in my opinion.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Graeme Smith

I used to think of him as a tool of the highest order and as a batsman nothing more than a bully who beat up Zimbabwean medium pacers.

Right now he's the no. 1 batsman in the world (it could be argued he was a bully against sub-standard bowling in this series as well).

His handling of that catch a few days ago was full of class. His wasn't sure it carried so he calmly enquired to the umpires so that they (the 3 of them) could give their decision.

The media claims that there was no appeal were bollocks, there is no requirement that an appeal must be bowler, wicketkeeper and everyone else on the field jumping up and down screaming at the top of their lungs.

I've started to respect the Saffies a whole lot more this series.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Graeme Smith

Seemed a bit out of his depth when first named captain but the SA selectors obviously had big wraps and lots of faith in him. Was always an impressive opening bat and oozed class from his younger days, but has seemed in the last year to really grow into his role and be comfortable in his shoes. Whereas in the past older team-mates seemed to help carry him a bit, it really is HIS team now.

Belligerent, defiant presence at bat, especially when the chips are down. Reminds me a lot of Steve Waugh as captain actually.

[Twodogs]

Re: Graeme Smith

His handling of that catch a few days ago was full of class. His wasn't sure it carried so he calmly enquired to the umpires so that they (the 3 of them) could give their decision.

To me that's what makes this game so great.

[The Coon Dog]

Re: Graeme Smith

I used to think of him as a tool of the highest order

I know.

Graeme Smith - You Tool!!

[ledge]

Re: Graeme Smith

Smith was named captain at 22 and learnt from there, of course he was going to make mistakes but the SA fraternity had faith and backed him, maybe Australia should take a good look at how SA handled and nurtured him for the future.
At the moment we have no one coming through and Ponting is ageing.
Pup seems the only choice if we want a captain for a while and not just a fill in one.
Katich was named as a great captain and well respected in the shield.

[dog town]

Re: Graeme Smith

I used to think of him as a tool of the highest order and as a batsman nothing more than a bully who beat up Zimbabwean medium pacers.

Right now he's the no. 1 batsman in the world (it could be argued he was a bully against sub-standard bowling in this series as well).

His handling of that catch a few days ago was full of class. His wasn't sure it carried so he calmly enquired to the umpires so that they (the 3 of them) could give their decision.

The media claims that there was no appeal were bollocks, there is no requirement that an appeal must be bowler, wicketkeeper and everyone else on the field jumping up and down screaming at the top of their lungs.

I've started to respect the Saffies a whole lot more this series.

Agree with all of that. How good is his catching as well? Actually they have the best cordon since we had Taylor and Waugh. Kallis and AB dont drop anything either.

[Twodogs]

Re: Graeme Smith

Agree with all of that. How good is his catching as well? Actually they have the best cordon since we had Taylor and Waugh. Kallis and AB dont drop anything either.

AB is one of the best slippers I've seen. Simpson was in a class all of his own and then comes the Chappell brothers, M. Waugh and Mark Taylor-AB isnt that far behind.

[westdog54]

Re: Graeme Smith

I rated him highly before this series and if anything he has improved his value in my opinion.

Agree 100%.

Like SS I was thoroughly impressed by his handling of the slips catch scenario. To be quite honest I don't think any other test captain (Ponting included) would have handled it with the class and calmness that Smith did. An appeal can simply be walking up to the umpire and asking "Pardon me sir, did we just get the batsman out?" What Smith did constituted an appeal in my books.

[westdog54]

Re: Graeme Smith

Now that the series is over, lets recap:

He has led his country to its 1st Series Victory on Australian Soil.

He was voted player of the series and rightly so.

He has handled himself exceptionally on and off the field all series.

With nothing to gain other than salvaging a draw, he came out to bat with a broken hand and a crook elbow in an attempt to survive the few overs needed.

Did I miss anything?

[Mantis]

Re: Graeme Smith

He was voted player of the series and rightly so.

Dale Steyn was the best performed player in the series and should have won the player of the series in my opinion.

With nothing to gain other than salvaging a draw, he came out to bat with a broken hand and a crook elbow in an attempt to survive the few overs needed.

So what??

Every other player in both teams would have done exactly the same.

[mighty_west]

Re: Graeme Smith

So what??

Every other player in both teams would have done exactly the same.

New Zealands Ian O'Brien wouldn't have done it, he is definatly one that sleeps with the lights on!

[mighty_west]

Re: Graeme Smith

On a side note, i was a bit suprised that McKenzie took over the reins when Smith was off the ground injured, and not Mark Boucher, who pretty much sets the fields and quite often talks to the bowlers, he is as much a leader to that team as Graeme Smith is.

On Smith, if you were to name a world side right now, he would take the captaincy!