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After seeing his ex-teammates struggle so much and disappointed by South Africa’s meek surrender in the Test series against India, Graeme Smith had last month said he might consider returning to international cricket as a player.
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Cape Town: Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith linked up with the South African team as an adviser on Friday ahead of the second Test against England which starts at Newlands on Saturday. (Quinton de Kock, Chris Morris Added to South Africa Squad For Second Test)
Smith will be with the team for the rest of the four-match series. (Graeme Smith Hints at International Comeback After Proteas’ Debacle)
“Graeme was a wonderful cricketer for South Africa and a wonderful captain,” said current captain Hashim Amla. (South African Batsmen Lost Confidence on Tough Indian Pitches: Mickey Arthur)
Amla said he was not concerned that Smith, who captained South Africa in 108 Test matches before retiring two years ago, had made some strong criticisms of South Africa’s batting and selections in his capacity as a television commentator during the first Test.
South Africa have not won a Test since last year’s New Year fixture against the West Indies at the same venue.
“When you win or lose a cricket game you are either going to be praised or there is criticism,” said Amla.
“That’s just the nature of international sport. When people criticise the team there’s going to be some value in it. You take it on the chin and move on. Wherever there is value that can be added you’ve got to take it.”
Amla said Smith’s experience would be important for South Africa’s batsmen, who have managed just three totals of more than 200 in their most recent ten completed innings.
“Graeme can give guidance to the batters, which he already has today,” said Amla.
“It is a confidence type of thing. You’ve got to almost refresh what the processes are that made you successful.
“Graeme knows more than most how tough it is to play cricket and how it is to go through tough times. Early in his career there were a few crushing defeats and he is well aware of how difficult it is and how important it is for a team to reassess and get back. He’s got good know-how about Test cricket and we’ve got a lot of youngsters who can draw on that.”
Proteas Ring In The Changes
South Africa will make at least two changes following a crushing 241-run defeat in the first Test in Durban. (Alastair Cook Hails England’s Win Over South Africa, Says Team Has Taken Big Strides)
Amla announced that Kagiso Rabada will replace the injured Dale Steyn. He also dropped a strong hint that Quinton de Kock would come in as a wicketkeeper and batsman, with AB de Villiers relinquishing the gloves and playing as a specialist batsman. (Dale Steyn In Doubt For Second Test Due to Shoulder Injury)
“The final call will be made by the selectors,” said Amla.
“If Quinny does come in he will take a load off AB and he has also been in very good form with the bat. If he does play, the selectors will have to decide who they will leave out. It will be a tough decision, whether it is Faf (Du Plessis) or JP (Duminy) because these have been integral guys in our team for many years.”
Fast bowler Kyle Abbott will undergo a fitness test ahead of the match after feeling tightness in his left hamstring at the end of the first Test. If Abbott does not play, he will be replaced by either Chris Morris or Hardus Viljoen, who are both uncapped.
Viljoen, 26, was called up as cover for Abbott. He took 20 wickets in the first two matches of the current season’s first-class campaign for the Lions franchise.
[Source:- NDTV Sports]