|
Smith: Who is my vice-capt?
25/09/2007 22:17 - (SA)
Christo Buchner , Beeld
Johannesburg - South African cricket captain Graeme Smith is concerned about the exodus of leading players. And he does not know who his team's vice-captain will be on the tour of Pakistan.
Smith admitted, shortly before the Proteas left for the subcontinent on Tuesday night, that he was concerned about the number of players turning their back on SA cricket.
The South Africans will play Pakistan in two Test matches and five one-day internationals.
"What worries me most, is how the administrators will handle this situation," Smith said.
Three players who had represented South Africa - Andrew Hall, Johan van der Wath and Loots Bosman - broke their ties with SA cricket during the past three weeks.
"It is hard to stop them, because the money they will earn in the Indian Cricket League is a major consideration," Smith said.
"But it does prove that there are other problems in our cricket that have to be solved.
"The administrators have a major task and I just hope they take it seriously.
"Guys of 21 and 22 years are leaving because they just do not have the patience to play their way into the national team. Some players who are near the end of their career are also taking that route.
Kallis is ready to do his best
"The main concern is that players who can still mean a lot to the national team are turning their back on South African cricket. Those are the ones we have to keep and whom the administrators should think about," Smith said.
He had spoken to Jacques Kallis, who was ready to do his best for South Africa, the captain added.
"Cricket is the most important thing in his life. He had no problems with his team-mates; rather with those higher up."
However, when he was asked who the new vice-captain would be after Kallis had resigned from the position, Smith said, "I wish I knew. I'll let you know when I find out. But it seems to me that sort of information is not meant for me."
The switch from Twenty20 cricket to Test cricket could pose problems, Smith admitted.
"It always takes a while to acclimatise on the subcontinent and we have not played Test cricket since last January.
"Our record over there is also not good. It is something we'd like to rectify. It will also be a first tour on the subcontinent for Paul Harris and Morné Morkel," he said.
|
Rugby
