Graeme Smith - The saviour of South African cricket

It was the 2003 World Cup. South Africa was the host nation and obviously, the crowd favourites. The odds were stacked up heavily on their side and with Kirsten, Klusener, Pollock, Donald and Rhodes in their ranks, they looked like world-beaters. Thanks to some horrible South African mathematics, they were able to prove everyone wrong. The entire cricketing fraternity was taken aback by the D/L fiasco. Several seniors members of the squad gave up cricket, or in better words, were made to give up cricket.

Shaun Pollock was stripped of captaincy and an enigma surrounded the appointment of a successor. There were players like Gibbs, Dippenaar, Kallis and Boucher who were expecting a call from the selectors. But to everyone’s surprise, a 22-year old, who flew into the WC squad to fill in for Rhodes who was injured, was picked up as the captain. His experience was limited to 22 ODIs and 8 Tests. He was yet to prove his mettle in the international arena, but very few knew that he would develop into such a capable leader. Yes, Graeme Craig Smith was given a double promotion – a permanent place and also the responsibility to lead the side across all formats of the game.

Once he took over the captaincy, he promised to take the Proteas to a different level. He commanded the proceedings of the camp and also made sure that there were no miscommunication with the seniors in the side. Soon, he gained respect from his mates and fear from his opponents. He resembled a giant and was a master of mind games, especially with the Australians. South African cricket slowly rebuilt its lost value and integrity around his leadership as he guided his brigade to the gates of glory.

Nothing looked impossible for the side under Graeme Smith. It’s not everyday when we witness a captain who walks back to the pavilion, patting his boys after conceding a mammoth 434 runs. He instilled confidence into his men, leading them from the front, and paving way for making history, like in the greatest ODI ever played at Johannesburg. He had strong belief in the fact that his batsmen, bowlers and fielders were the best in the world. He took decisions based upon his instinct and was never a victim of team politics.

One of the best slip fielders around the world, Smith was often an under-rated batsman. He is a definitely a better batsman than what his statistics actually suggest. Be it the majestic walk down the wicket or that flashy cut from the crease, he mastered them with ease. His resilience and commitment won greater applause in the 2009 Durban Test when he came out to bat in the fourth innings with a broken thumb. He faced the brutal Mitchell Johnson with almost one hand and eventually fell inches short of securing a draw in the game.

Yes, South Africa are chokers who are yet to win a major tournament. But if trophies alone do not determine a team’s strength, South Africa have truly been the team of the decade, courtesy Graeme Smith. And they are the only team to have won at least one Test series all around the world in the last decade, defying all alien conditions. Smith has stood by Amla, De Villiers, Steyn, Morkel and others in helping them develop into world-class players. More importantly, they have been equally consistent in all formats and Smith has always been an unsung hero, standing quiet and tall in South Africa’s results.

He is not as aggressive as Dada and Ponting and not as cool as MSD and Vaughan. But he has been a silent companion in the highs and lows of all the players and he enjoys seeing others perform more than his own performances. This muscular, one-of-a-kind captain turns 32 today and also becomes the first player to captain his side into hundred Tests. He has undoubtedly been the Proteas’ backbone and has the cricket and energy left in him to add a World Cup to his kitty to end the long-standing curse of the Test mace holders.