Published: Dec 09, 2015, 10:29 AM (IST)
Edited: Dec 09, 2015, 10:29 AM (IST)
It was under Graeme Smith’s able leadership South Africa rose to the No.1 spot in Test cricket and when their dominance in away series rose. South Africa were undefeated outside home from 2006 till India halted their golden run. South Africa’s 3-0 defeat in the hands of India drew criticism from all quarters and Smith, who retired in 2014, is disappointed by the side’s sudden fall in Test cricket. Seeing his teammates struggle, Smith, one of the greatest leaders of the game, has hinted an international comeback. Read: Twitter reactions: India thrash South Africa by 337 runs in Delhi; register 3-0 series win
Smith will be soon seen in action for Virgo Super Kings in the Masters Cricket League (MCL) but the southpaw is giving a serious thought to comeback.
A report from The National newspaper quoted the former Proteas captain as saying, “Who knows the MCL could be a platform back into the international game. I am asked this question a lot. It does spend time in your head, especially when you see the boys struggling in India you think you can contribute, but we’ll see. I’ll go back train, prepare and get ready for the MCL.”
The 34-year-old further added, “For me, I’m at the cusp of whether I should play international cricket again or not,” he said. “I’m 34 now, (I) retired at 33, there’s always that question mark of whether I can play for another 3-4 years. I know I can. I’m looking forward to the MCL and take it from there.”
Speaking about the loss in India, Smith said, “I think we just got a little bit in our own way in this series. When you play on tough wickets, whether it’s green, seamy wickets or spinning wickets, margins become very small and we lost out on those margins always early on in the Tests and were always playing catch-up.”
Despite the heavy defeat, Smith backed the Test skipper Hashim Amla ahead of the important England tour and said he shouldn’t be criticised much. He called Amla, “a man of immense character” and said he deserves the opportunity “to bounce back.” He added, “This England tour now becomes an important challenge for him as a leader.” Read: Twitterati praise Hashim Amla as his “blockathon” ends
