Graeme Smith is surely aware that his honeymoon period as South African cricket captain is rapidly coming to a close but the relaxed, confident figure he is cutting in England would hardly suggest it.
Perhaps it was being forced to confront the ”Klusener affair” so early in his tenure, maybe it is just the bullish confidence of youth, but there is about Smith a sense that all is under control, that the pieces of the jigsaw are starting to fall happily into place.
Miracle of miracles, Smith is even winning over the usually cynical band of English pressmen.
Meanwhile, England loom this Saturday as Smith’s biggest test yet — in the arena of the the NatWest Triangular One-Day Series (in which Zimbabwe look set to play a supporting role).
”These two weeks have gone quickly but it’s been good so far and I’m really happy with the way things have been going,” Smith told the Mail & Guardian this week.
”The games have gone well and off the field [the team] have been impressive too — the way the guys have worked well together, looking for extra work and getting the little things done. I’ve been really happy with that.
”Everyone is going out of their way to work hard and the gym sessions behind closed doors have been outstanding. The support not only for me but for each other has been fantastic.
”I’ve got a quiet, warm feeling inside at the moment. I’m not too fazed by what lies ahead because I’m more worried about what we can control than about England.”
Watching the South African squad at work it’s hard not to be struck by a new lightness of spirit coupled with a serious sense of purpose.
This is a very different group of players from the one that capitulated so unhappily under the burden of expectation at the World Cup.
There are smiles aplenty, warm greetings to outsiders and an unforced generosity with English fans, who still consider South Africa one of the game’s biggest drawcards.
Allan Donald suffered through that World Cup campaign. South Africa’s most successful bowler of all time was in Worcester this week to catch up with some old friends and offer a few words of advice.
”The [South African team] all say there is good [team] spirit and it’s good to see,” Donald said as he cast a discerning eye over South Africa’s preparations for the Test.
”I hope the rest of the people at home back these guys because this is a tough tour — one of the toughest.”
The South African public might need reminding of that but not the South African captain.
A short tour of Bangladesh can hardly be considered preparation for the pressures of international cricket played in front of full stadiums and the planet’s most piercing media glare here in England.
”This is the real thing and the guys know that,” says Smith. ”I really believe that if we play to our potential we can win this tournament.
”England are the favourites because of their home advantage, they know the conditions well and have just won a series against Pakistan — they’re riding high and have got a little buzz around them.
”They’re an exciting squad and it’s going to be a huge clash on Saturday. They’ve got some good batsmen up front and some exciting fast-bowlers but if we play to our potential, we’ll be all right.”
Donald also believes that England are going into the tournament as favourites. After more than 10 years of playing in and against the country that introduced the game to the world, he counsels with the wisdom of experience when it comes to what will be needed to beat them.
”Huge discipline,” he cautions. ”I think at the moment the English guys fancy themselves one up on South Africa. But they’re young like we are so there’s a good balance between the two sides.
”Our bowling is going to be the key to winning. Patience will also be vital. You go through periods in England where the wickets look very flat and then something happens and you find yourself in trouble. You’ve got to have discipline and patience.”
Smith says he ”has probably got an eight” in his mind when it comes to the 11 South African players who will start against England on Saturday.
Whatever combination wears the green and gold, they will be unrecognisable from the brow-beaten squad that slunk out of Kingsmead nearly four months ago.
Tomorrow really is another country.