| While it is true that South Africa’s international | | | | talent, flair and confidence among this team than |
| cricket team has made great strides in the recent | | | | ever before,” he was quoted as saying in the |
| past, even overthrowing long reigning Australia from | | | | cricket news. |
| the top spot for the ICC’s rankings for ODI | | | | Smith is also of the view that the IPL experience in |
| cricket, but the fact is that the team is still to win a | | | | South Africa was beneficial for the South Africans |
| major title in international cricket. This is something | | | | who participated. "A lot of our players had prominent |
| skipper Graeme Smith is hoping to rectify this T20 | | | | roles in a number of the teams, which probably |
| World Cup. | | | | wouldn't have happened if it had been in India, and |
| Long have the South African had to battle the | | | | they had good leadership roles among their teams," |
| ‘Chokers’ tag as they have often been | | | | he said. |
| called in the cricket news, and many are the | | | | Another factor touched upon by RSA skipper Smith |
| tournament finals wherein they have been found | | | | while talking in the cricket news was the subject of |
| wanting; being unable at the final instance to go the | | | | Jacques Kallis and the fact that he was |
| distance and grab the big prize. The South Africans | | | | controversially not part of the South African squad in |
| have a come a long way in the past year or so, and | | | | the last T20 World Cup. This time around, Kallis, with |
| are currently the number one ODI team in | | | | his valuable recent experience with the T20 format in |
| international cricket and will be hoping that the end | | | | the IPL, will be looking to make helpful contributions |
| result of the T20 World Cup will also reflect that | | | | to his team this World Cup. "Jacques is the one |
| number one status. | | | | player who arrives here with a point to prove," Smith |
| Having won a good portion of recently played series, | | | | said. "He had a decent performance in the IPL so is |
| including defeating Australia in Australia, this is a | | | | confidence his high and tactically how we use him is |
| talented, well knit and upbeat team that is confident | | | | important. He's an all-rounder and needs to contribute |
| of its own abilities, with the result that skipper | | | | in all forms." |
| Graeme Smith is hopeful of a favourable result this | | | | Smith himself had a lean run with the bat in the IPL, |
| T20 World Cup. "We have had an incredible period in | | | | and will also have his own personal points to make in |
| the last 16 months and the team has achieved so | | | | the World Cup. Aware that fatigue is probably the |
| much. | | | | biggest issue faced and that many players will be |
| The confidence is good and we are excited about | | | | feeling jaded, Smith is still confident of his team |
| playing this tournament with the chance to go out | | | | making a good showing. |
| and express ourselves. I think there is a lot more | | | | |