Smith back in the ODI setup

2 Apr 2009

Graeme Smith will put a period of frustrating and enforced one-day inactivity behind him when he leads the Proteas' Standard Bank ODI squad into the first MTN ODI against Australia at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead on Friday.

A combination of a chronic elbow injury and a broken hand has forced him to play only one ODI against Bangladesh since he came home early from the England tour last August.

“For a little period I have been out of the game but I have felt in control of my game for some time now,” commented the Proteas' captain. “Every chance you get to represent your country is a special one, so it is nice to be back playing for South Africa. It is something I am looking forward to and hopefully we can put in a special performance on Friday and in the rest of the games. The guys are well prepared and excited.”

Smith was philosophical about his latest clash with Australian paceman Mitchell Johnson after suffering broken bones in both hands against the strike bowler this summer but indicated that it would not affect him, nor would he change his preparation or approach.
“As an opening batsman those are things that you learn to deal with throughout your career. I have travelled pretty much all around the world and faced all the world's fastest quicks. Mentally it is just a case of preparing the right way. I have to think about how I am going to face these fast bowlers and how I am going to play them. That is the way I have always prepared in the past.

“Mitchell has been bowling really well. He is one of the best fast bowlers in the world at the moment and it will be a real challenge facing him. It is something I look forward to. We have had a really good battle over the last period of time, I have had a bit of success and he has had a bit of success, so we will see what happens.”

Smith also said that he was heartened by the progress his leading all-rounder, Jacques Kallis, was making in recovering from his groin injury and that he had a good chance of being fit in time for the second MTN ODI at SuperSport Park on Sunday.

“He is coming through nicely. He is bowling in the nets and he has had a good batting session as well. From what I understand from the physio he is progressing very nicely and SuperSport Park (on Sunday) is a very definite option.

Smith announced the following Proteas' starting line-up for Friday:

Graeme Smith (capt), Johan Botha (vice-capt), Herschelle Gibbs, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Mark Boucher, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini. 12th man: Roelof van der Merwe.