South African captain Graeme Smith said on Tuesday that he wants more use of video replays in Test cricket after Pakistan recorded an eight-wicket victory in the first Test against the Proteas.
”I think television has got to play a role somewhere,” Smith told reporters.
Australian umpire Darrell Hair dealt the South African side a huge blow in the second innings when he called Herschelle Gibbs and Jacques Kallis out. But video replays showed the ball had not touched the bats of the two players.
Pakistan coach Javed Miandad also supported the idea of using video technology.
”The think tanks of International Cricket Council should look into this matter. They should do what is good for cricket,” Miandad said.
The Proteas skipper also urged his bowlers to show more discipline to take 20 wickets in the second Test and level the series against Pakistan.
”In one-day cricket it is all about containment. But I think in many ways in Test cricket you have to take 20 wickets to win matches,” Smith said. ”I think in this Test this was the major difference between the two sides.
”We have to look at our firepower in the bowling department for the second Test. We have to work on that aspect,” he added.
Smith singled out Pakistani speedster Shoaib Akhtar for praise.
Akhtar claimed three vital wickets on the fourth morning, which reduced the South African lead to just 160 runs. Akhtar finished with four for 36 before he limped off the field due to a hamstring injury.
”It was not easy out there against the reverse swing of Shoaib [Akhtar] that put us on the backfoot,” Smith said. — Sapa-AP