Never mind Andrew Flintoff’s return to the England side — South Africa captain Graeme Smith is bracing himself for the sight of cows and pigs when the second Test starts at Headingley on Friday.
Animals, albeit of the fancy-dress kind, have become a common sight during international matches at Yorkshire’s headquarters in recent years.
It’s all a far cry from the somewhat more staid environment at Lord’s, where the Proteas drew the opening match of this four-Test series on Monday.
But, for his part, Smith cannot wait to sample again ”one of the best cricket atmospheres in the world”.
Smith, recalling a conversation he had with England captain Michael Vaughan on Wednesday, told reporters at Headingley: ”I did a function with Michael last night and he said there would be a few pigs and cows walking around the stadium. There will be a few interesting characters and a whole different atmosphere to Lord’s.”
Fans at Headingley are some of the most vocal in England and opening batsman Smith added: ”I’m sure the abuse levels will be up a bit also. We can use it as motivation. Most of our guys enjoy it and, having played here in the past, it’s one of the best cricket atmospheres in the world.
”You can enjoy it and be a part of it. It’s important you use it in the right spirit,” he also told reporters at Headingley on Thursday.
”I think Headingley is largely defined by overhead conditions. It’s a whole different challenge to Lord’s, the crowd and the influence of everybody around is going to be different.”
Back in 2003 Smith captained the Proteas to an extraordinary Test victory over England at Headingley.
Although South Africa collapsed to 21 for four, after Smith won the toss, they recovered to win the match by the crushing margin of 191 runs.
Gary Kirsten, now the coach of India, compilied 130 and put on 150 for the eighth wicket with pace bowler Monde Zondeki, whe made 59 as the Proteas ended up with a first innings total of 342.
Andrew Hall made 99 in South Africa’s second innings before fellow all-rounder Jacques Kallis undid England with six for 54 — still his best innings bowling figures in Test cricket.
”My memories are of not getting a lot of sleep,” Smith said. ”It was a pretty stressful Test, winning the toss and being 21 for four. Then Gary and Monde getting a partnership that got us to a decent level and Hally’s 99.
”Headingley provides fluctuating Test matches. It can be quite an emotional Test match. Hopefully, it will be as successful as 2003.”
England have recalled Flintoff to their side for the all-rounder’s first Test in 18 months following ankle and side injuries.
”It’s going to be a challenge for the batters, especially with the angles he creates,” Smith said of Flintoff. ”But if we win, no one can ask questions of us,” he added.
South Africa, who are still waiting on the fitness of Neil McKenzie after the opening batsman sustained a hamstring strain during his marathon century at Lord’s, expect an improved performance from their much vaunted attack, which conceded 593 runs in the first Test.
”We were poor and they know that,” said Smith of his bowlers. ”They are looking forward to turning thing around and being a little bit more mentally strong than they were in the first Test.”
He added: ”We were a little bit off the boil in terms of the standard we need to be at and the one we’ve produced over the last year.” – AFP
