Zim lambs to the slaughter?

2005-02-23 03:43

Eunice Visagie

Johannesburg - Like lambs being led to slaughter. This is the impression one gets about the Zimbabwean cricket team's series against South Africa.

But South Africa's captain, Graeme Smith, said: "It is difficult to say something like that, because you do not know what is going to happen.

"We have the potential to give them a hiding, but international cricket is something else.

"Bangladesh beat strong countries in one day international cricket. Nothing can be taken for granted.

"On paper we are supposed to kill them," Smith said.

The Proteas play three one-day internationals and two Tests against Zimbabwe.

The first one-day international will be played at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Friday.

Smith is not worried that his team-mates will suffer from a lack of motivation.

"The guys want to represent their country and we are looking forward to this tour. Many of the players' international careers have just started and obviously we want to continue where we left off after beating England in the one-day series," Smith said.

South African supporters will be satisfied with no less than a convincing series victory over Zimbabwe and Smith and company know this.

"It is rather difficult, because we have a lot to lose and will gain very little. We just want to get this tour out of the way and then play well against the West Indies," the captain said.

Referring to his injury, Smith said that he regularly received injections for his injured foot in the series against England.

"The car that drove over my foot in India also did not help," Smith said.

- Die Burger