Smith upbeat ahead of first Test
Graeme Smith and Ray Jennings speak out ahead of South Africa's first Test at Kanpur against India
Wisden Cricinfo staff
18-Nov-2004
South Africa have had all sorts of difficulties ahead of their tour of India: the withdrawal of Herschelle Gibbs and Nicky Boje; a delayed departure at Johannesburg airport and the team bus experienced mechanical problems in Kanpur. But despite these issues the captain Graeme Smith and the coach Ray Jennings are revved up, and they spoke to the media ahead of the first Test:
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On South Africa's strategy for the series ...
Graeme Smith: To play the kind of the cricket we have practised, we've spoken about, to put into play everything we've prepared for. It's important we don't come out worrying too much about the opposition. If we perform and look after ourselves and do what we know we can do then that will be good enough.
Graeme Smith: To play the kind of the cricket we have practised, we've spoken about, to put into play everything we've prepared for. It's important we don't come out worrying too much about the opposition. If we perform and look after ourselves and do what we know we can do then that will be good enough.
On the wicket
GS: It's what we expected: it's pretty soft; the outfield is all damp so I am sure there'll quite a lot of dew overnight and it will turn and I am sure it's gonna be a result wicket. And we are prepared for that.
GS: It's what we expected: it's pretty soft; the outfield is all damp so I am sure there'll quite a lot of dew overnight and it will turn and I am sure it's gonna be a result wicket. And we are prepared for that.
On the tour-opener in Jaipur
GS: We rushed into that game due to our schedule and we just had one practice session before that game. So it was crucial for us to get accustomed to what's going on around us. We spent a lot of time in nets there working on certain things and discussing certain things.
GS: We rushed into that game due to our schedule and we just had one practice session before that game. So it was crucial for us to get accustomed to what's going on around us. We spent a lot of time in nets there working on certain things and discussing certain things.
On the positives they took out of that game
GS: Specifically - the bowlers got a good workout, had a good run in the middle ... We hadn't had a run in the middle for a while in the longer version of the game. Some batters did well, but most importantly, we got to spend time with each other on the ground. We haven't spent too much time together being a new side.
GS: Specifically - the bowlers got a good workout, had a good run in the middle ... We hadn't had a run in the middle for a while in the longer version of the game. Some batters did well, but most importantly, we got to spend time with each other on the ground. We haven't spent too much time together being a new side.
On the fact that there are only four Test players in the squad against one of the best batting line-ups in the world
Ray Jennings: I suppose you can look at it in two ways: it can be very scary that you freeze and you don't spread your wings and play according to your talents. If not you can see it as a challenge because I am sure there are fewer Test-match players in our side than the younger ones. But it's quite exciting for younger players to go out there and give what I know South African players can do: true spirit and never-say-die-attitude and that's going to be seen on the field.
Ray Jennings: I suppose you can look at it in two ways: it can be very scary that you freeze and you don't spread your wings and play according to your talents. If not you can see it as a challenge because I am sure there are fewer Test-match players in our side than the younger ones. But it's quite exciting for younger players to go out there and give what I know South African players can do: true spirit and never-say-die-attitude and that's going to be seen on the field.
On the composition of the team
GS: We will announce the team on Saturday morning.
GS: We will announce the team on Saturday morning.
On the availability of Jacques Kallis
GS: I know he will be ready to play.
GS: I know he will be ready to play.
On the absence of the experienced duo of Herschelle Gibbs and Nicky Boje
GS: We have lost two guys who have done well over the years. But, as we said, we have guys here who have come here with maximum motivation, guys with huge challenges up ahead of them, guys who can come in and step in and take their places. So the guys have massive opportunities: it's awesome; awesome to see such talented guys come in and get the opportunity to perform well and do well for South Africa and hopefully become new heroes.
GS: We have lost two guys who have done well over the years. But, as we said, we have guys here who have come here with maximum motivation, guys with huge challenges up ahead of them, guys who can come in and step in and take their places. So the guys have massive opportunities: it's awesome; awesome to see such talented guys come in and get the opportunity to perform well and do well for South Africa and hopefully become new heroes.