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Smith: CWC win all that matters
20/02/2007 22:45 - (SA)
Altus Momberg, Die Burger
Cape Town - Graeme Smith and the fellow Cricket World Cup Proteas team-mates aren't paying too much attention to their new status as the world's top ODI team.
According to Smith, everyone knows that the team's performance at the World Cup in the West Indians is all that matters.
"Of course it's nice to be No 1 (on the ICC rankings list). It is reward for maintaining our good form for a long period and we deserve it," Smith said on Tuesday.
Speaking at Newlands where he was attending a Cricket SA development coaching clinic, Smith said, "At the World Cup, it is necessary to maintain your best form for more than a month."
Top ODI team
The Proteas face Australia on March 24 in their first "big" match of the tournament. The final is scheduled for April 28.
South Africa took over from Australia as the world's top ODI team on Sunday when New Zealand beat the Aussies to clinch their three-match series. The Black Caps also won the third match on Tuesday.
Smith is positive about his team's chances. "It is dangerous to predict that you'll win the World Cup, but we are confident.
"There is an unbelievable calmness in the squad. Previous South African teams may have allowed too many expectations to be created, but I don't think it's going to happen this time," he said.
Match winners
He was not prepared to write off Australia either.
The Aussies, who will be defending their title in the Caribbean, have now had five consecutive ODI defeats - two against England and three against New Zealand.
"They have match winners such as Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist who still have to return and will make a big difference," said Smith.
"Their main problem is their long list of injuries. The way they solve that will probably determine their fate."
- Die Burger
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