The Hindu : Sport : `Chokers' tag amusing, says Graeme Smith

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Tuesday, Mar 13, 2007
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`Chokers' tag amusing, says Graeme Smith

Special Correspondent

Montego Bay: Posturing is a most interesting phenomenon. The eyes are narrowed, the chest is thrown out, the walk injected with swagger as the champion sportsman seeks to emphasise the difference between him, the real deal, and mere posers.

At the ostentatious Ritz Carlton Hotel here in Montego Bay on Sunday, onlookers were treated to shades of posturing from the captains of the top two one-day sides in the world.

Ricky Ponting, lolling on a table, leapt lithely off, and bustled to the media conference, the larrikin's gait obvious; Graeme Smith walked in heavily long after Ponting left, and answered in a deep voice.

The captains were forced to pose with the World Cup. Ponting bent low, crow's feet around his eyes, a crooked grin at his cheeks; Smith was the only captain of the six that endured the media to actually lift the trophy for the pose.

Strange

What the two had to say was almost as interesting. Did the loss of the No. 1 ranking rankle Australia? "We're actually not on top at the moment," said Ponting, emphasising the irony.

"It's probably a little strange that Australia are the No. 2 team in the world but we are favourites to win the World Cup.

Our team doesn't pay much attention to rankings. Yes, being No. 1 is a feather in the cap but other than that, I doubt anyone in our team knew the difference between South Africa and us."

`Special event'

Smith contextualised matters with reason. "The reality is we have said all along, the World Cup is a special event. To become No. 1, you got to be consistent over a long period of time, beating the best teams on a consistent basis.

"Australia have done that for a number of years, they were the team to beat. We are hugely proud of the achievement," he added.

Australia and South Africa have contested some epic one-day games in the past, with Australia not above a little wordplay to get ahead.

Thus was instituted the tag of chokers. "The chokers tag is something we have always struggled to get rid of which was given to us by an individual. It is something this team has found quite amusing at times," said Smith with forced casualness.

"A lot of those things are speculation, it comes down to the day. We have performed well under pressure, won from where no one gave us any hope.

"I would say in our environment that word is quite a laughable word, except when you are eating spare ribs or something like that," added Smith.

So, how will the group match scheduled for March 24 between these two heavyweights turn out? "In our own minds those challenges aren't as steep as they used to be," said Smith.

"After the rankings have shifted, there is always going to be a hugely intensive and competitive game. We don't see them as vulnerable in any way. We got a huge amount of respect for them.

"We take Australia as we do on any other given day. We have had success against Australia in one-day cricket of late, in the last few years. But, we are not taking them lightly," he added.

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