Smith laughs off Warne's jibes

2005-12-23 21:08

Christo Buchner

Melbourne - Shane Warne is becoming more and more like a comedian, says South African captain Graeme Smith after another verbal attack by the Australian spin bowler.

This time Warne accused Smith of not being an innovative captain.

"As a team we have come to the conclusion that Warne is really frustrated for not being the captain of the Aussie side.

"I think that void in his cricket career bothers him. He would have loved to be the captain of the side, but Ricky Ponting as the leader of the team seems to bother Warne.

"That is the reason why he is such a show-off on the field. To us it is clear that he is putting Ponting under more pressure than he already is.

"He always tries to change the field placing and is always trying to tell Ponting what to do.

"He is a real showman who wants to be the centre of attention all the time.

"The fact that he is not the captain means that he has to find other ways to find the limelight. That is why his behaviour is the way it is."

There is problems in the camp

The South African captain believes there could be problems in the Aussie camp, in spite of them trying to put up a unified front.

"They are under a lot of pressure at home. They were an established team winning everything for such a long time that the supporters simply cannot accept it when the tide turns against them."

Warne also told the media here that he still believed Justin Kemp would be his bunny and that he would get his wicket as easily as he used to do with Daryll Cullinan.

On Tuesday Kemp held off Warne's bowling and helped South Africa save the Test.

Smith said it would be much more effective if Warne was more subtle.

"At the moment he only makes us more determined to prove him wrong."

- Beeld