BEING LEFT OUT WAS THE TOUGHEST THING I’VE HAD TO DEAL WITH IN MY
LIFE, SAYS SMITH
Western Province opening batsman Graeme Smith officially joined the South African World Cup Squad on Friday, after the ICC Technical Committee had approved his nomination as a replacement for the injured middle-order batsman Jonty Rhodes.
Smith said his inclusion in the squad was a dream come true.
”Walking onto the ground with the team during a World Cup at home is something very special, and it is fantastic to be a part of it,” said Smith.
Many people thought that Smith was very unlucky to have been left out of the original squad. ”It was the toughest thing I have had to deal with in my life,” said Smith. ”Getting a century in the Test immediately after that made it easier to deal with, and I was also amazed at the amount of support I received. It came from my
friends, from the media and from members of the general public and it really was very special. I think I have learnt a lot, and I have matured as a result of having been left out of the team.”
Smith said he was hungrier than ever, after having been left out of the squad, and he intended to make the most of the opportunity he had been granted.
”I knew I was on the reserve list, so I had to keep in shape, and stay focused,” he said. ”I played in three warm-up games, and have also been following an exercise programme.”
When reminded that he had clashed with some of his team-mates during the warm-up game at Greenpoint, Smith pointed out that when he played cricket, he always played to win, regardless of the opposition. ”Cricket is a game you have to play at 100% all the time, even if it means getting into fights with your team-mates,” he said.
He said it had been a strange feeling rejoining the team, although he was very happy to be back. ”It felt horrible when I watched them walk out at Newlands without me,” he said. ”Not just because it’s a World Cup–just missing out on playing for your country is always hard.”
Smith said he had been watching a movie with friends on Tuesday while South Africa was playing against Kenya in Potchefstroom. ”The first thing I heard was that Jonty had broken his hand. I felt very shocked, because Jonty is such an important part of the team. He is a very special person, and I feel very sad for him.”
Smith made it very clear that he did not intend to try to take Rhodes’s place. ”I’m not replacing Jonty Rhodes,” he said. ”I’m Graeme Smith and I intend to make my own mark. I hold Jonty in very high regard, and I am sorry that I have not been able to spend more time getting to know him.”
He said he and Rhodes had talked for about half an hour on Friday afternoon. ”The only advice he gave me was not to field at backward point.”
Smith said he did not mind where he batted, although he was used to opening. ”One, two or three, I don’t mind, but I think I’m batting really well at the moment. Of course, the pressure will be different from here on.”
When told that the Australian team were likely to have plenty to say to him, following some heated verbal exchanges last season, Smith was unperturbed. ”If I come up against Australia, I’ll expect the worst, and they’ll get the same back from me,” he said. ”But they will also get my best performance.” – Sapa