Smith takes swipe at Aussies
2006-01-24 21:29
Christo Buchner
Adelaide - That was much better.
The South African fighting spirit of yesteryear was evident at the Adelaide Oval again on Tuesday evening when Graeme Smith and company beat Sri Lanka by nine runs in the triangular one-day series.
With just six overs remaining, it seemed as if the Proteas were going to be beaten for the seventh consecutive time by Sri Lanka, but South Africa launched a fight-back to eventually record a stunning victory and also keep their hopes in the series alive.
The South Africans defended their score of 263 for five by limiting Sri Lanka to 254 for eight in their 50 overs. Sri Lanka needed 10 runs from their final over, but Andrew Hall won the Test for South Africa.
The only false note to a night of celebrations was the groin injury of Herschelle Gibbs. There will be clarity of the extent of his injury on Wednesday.
"As things are happening on this tour, we'll probably play a match or two without him," Smith said.
He acknowledged that a defeat would have signalled the end of South Africa's onslaught.
The captain said: "Anything can still happen. Australia can even be the team that do not qualify for the final. We must now concentrate on our final four matches and make sure we qualify for the final.
Impressed with Johan van der Wath
"The young players made their mark and put us in the position to win. I was especially impressed with the performance of Johan van der Wath (2-37). He's a real fighter who does not stand back for anyone. He's the kind of player we need.
"We have a lack of experience after all the injuries, but as long as the guys are willing to fight for a victory, it will make up for what we lack in experience.
"The pitch was slow and I believe we did well to record a defendable score. Boeta (Dippenaar, 125*) was brilliant and along with the bowlers deserve a pat on the back. However, I would like to see our bowling and batting in the middle of the innings be more solid," Smith said.
Dippenaar said the role he fulfilled was similar to Gary Kirsten's in his playing days.
"I must stay there and keep things together. I must keep up my end, while the other guys do the big hitting on the other side," Dippenaar said.
Smith also had a swipe at the Aussies when he said a pleasant atmosphere prevailed on and off the pitch without incidents of racism.
"When the Aussies aren't playing, there's a friendly atmosphere. It seems to me we must try and keep them out of the matches."
Tom Moody, the Australian coach of Sri Lanka, said with ten overs remaining his team should have scored an easy victory.
"It was a case of us losing the match rather than South Africa winning. However, I must concede that South Africa bowled well towards the end," Moody said.
- Beeld