The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : We're not keen to be second best: Smith

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jul 30, 2004

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We're not keen to be second best: Smith

COLOMBO, JULY 29. South Africa captain Graeme Smith views the present cricket tour of Sri Lanka as an opportunity to prepare for its battle against India later this year.

``We are coming after a lay-off and are keen to get used to the conditions which would come handy when we tour India in November for a two-Test series,'' said Smith as his team opened its campaign here with a three-day practice game on Thursday.

Smith is keen to break free from the cluster of three-four teams, which claim to be No. 2 in the world behind Australia. But he knows it would be tough to prevail in India.

``India always had a good batting line-up. The difference these days is it also has bowlers who can pick 20 wickets,'' said the 23-year-old.

As for the teams currently claiming to be the second-best team in the world, including India, Smith said his side was keen to replace Australia as the top cricket-playing nation in the world than settle for next-best tag.

``We are not keen to be the second best side. We want to get past Australia and be the top team in the world.''

South Africa has recently lost its second place in the International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings to England and Smith feels the realisation will motivate his boys.

Tough task

Smith is also aware that defeating India has been impossible for teams visiting the sub-continent in the last two decades except for Hansie Cronje-led South Africa, which o triumphed 2-0 in the last series between the two teams in 2000-2001.

While everyone has been concentrating on how badly Australia wants to win in a country where it has not triumphed since 1969, South Africa also has similar ambitions.

South Africa feels the present series against Sri Lanka would be a good preparation for more than one reason.

``Obviously the conditions in the sub-continent are similar. Also, facing Muttiah Muralitharan would be a good preparation to get ready for the spinners who always prosper in these conditions.''

Smith has high regards for Indian spinners — Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble — who work well in tandem in home conditions.

On the present tour, Smith said, ``it's important we do well in the first Test in Galle since we are coming back after a lay-off. It would set us rolling for the series.''

South Africa is to play two Tests and five one-dayers with the host. The first Test begins in Galle on August 4. — PTI

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