Hark back to the immediate period following the World Cup cricket 2003.
The way South Africa exited the World Cup caused quite a noise. Shaun Pollock resigned from captaincy. Subsequently, Graeme Smith was selected as captain for South Africa's next Test.
There were many who did not find the decision to be good one, since before becoming the captain Smith had only played 8 test matches and 22 ODIs. He was just 22 years+ and became the youngest South African captain.
However, in the subsequent series in England in 2003, he made two consecutive double centuries - scores of 277 and 259, and surpassing a few records. In coming years, inspite of a few failures here and there, he became a great opening batsman for South Africa and also led the team to a number of great victories.
In the process, he became one of the most successful captains in the world cricket, as well as the most successful captains of South Africa.
Also, under him Proteas had not lost a single test series at home, since 2008-09, till the current series against Australia.
(Reference: http://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/graeme-smith-memoir-magnificent-tales/2/?ref=article-next)
Under him, South Africa won 51 out of 104 test matches and lost 27, while in ODIs, out of 149, South Africa won 92 and lost 51. And he used his great batting skills to led South Africa to win in a lot of matches too.
Recently, things were not going good against Aussies, and he decided to retire. Yet, he will be regarded as one of the greats of the South African cricket and would be very much missed.
Source used:
Hindustan Times - http://www.hindustantimes.com/sports-news/cricketnews/south-africa-captain-graeme-smith-announces-shock-retirement/article1-1190650.aspx
The way South Africa exited the World Cup caused quite a noise. Shaun Pollock resigned from captaincy. Subsequently, Graeme Smith was selected as captain for South Africa's next Test.
There were many who did not find the decision to be good one, since before becoming the captain Smith had only played 8 test matches and 22 ODIs. He was just 22 years+ and became the youngest South African captain.
However, in the subsequent series in England in 2003, he made two consecutive double centuries - scores of 277 and 259, and surpassing a few records. In coming years, inspite of a few failures here and there, he became a great opening batsman for South Africa and also led the team to a number of great victories.
In the process, he became one of the most successful captains in the world cricket, as well as the most successful captains of South Africa.
Also, under him Proteas had not lost a single test series at home, since 2008-09, till the current series against Australia.
(Reference: http://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/graeme-smith-memoir-magnificent-tales/2/?ref=article-next)
Under him, South Africa won 51 out of 104 test matches and lost 27, while in ODIs, out of 149, South Africa won 92 and lost 51. And he used his great batting skills to led South Africa to win in a lot of matches too.
Recently, things were not going good against Aussies, and he decided to retire. Yet, he will be regarded as one of the greats of the South African cricket and would be very much missed.
Source used:
Hindustan Times - http://www.hindustantimes.com/sports-news/cricketnews/south-africa-captain-graeme-smith-announces-shock-retirement/article1-1190650.aspx
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