Graeme Smith decides to quit captaincy in T20’s and ODI’s
Graeme Smith, the South African captain has decided to relinquish one of his responsibilities. In an apparently well thought-out plan, Graeme Smith decided to quit his leadership role in Twenty20 matches. Moreover he has decided to leave the captaincy for one day internationals after the 2011 World Cup.
However his services as a normal player will be available for all the versions of Cricket sports. Not withstanding the decision to leave captaincy in one day and Twenty20, he has decided to maintain his leadership role in test matches.
Graeme Smith divulged his future plans in a press conference in Johannesburg on Wednesday. Smith gave a detailed briefing to media explaining them about the reasons for such an important decision related to his cricket career. Graeme Smith asserted his passion for the game and described his decision as a result of his affiliation with the game.
He related his decision to step down as captain in two formats with his intention to play more concentrated cricket for another five to six years for South Africa. With relinquishment of some of the responsibilities, Smith told that he could focus more on his performance as well as fitness to serve http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 for another five to six years.
Graeme Smith has mainly concerns with his efforts to continue association with the cricket sport for a longer period of time. Nonetheless, his intention to play another five to six years seems to be a very demanding goal in terms of fitness and age factor. His second ambition to bring the glory of success in the World Cup 2011 seems achievable provided lady luck favours South Africa. It may appear odd to relate winning of the World Cup with luck, but history reveals luck factor to be more vital in South Africa’s case.
Graeme Smith took charge of the South African team in the 2007 World Cup and in Twenty20 matches. The leadership of Graeme Smith failed to make any prominent impact in these events other than reaching the semi final stage. News pertaining to quitting of the assignment were very much in the air after the humiliating performance by Graeme Smith led South African team in the World T20 championship this year.
Even though, the flurry of failures in mind and absence of any concrete achievements may have compelled Graeme Smith to take the decision yet it seems belated on many accounts. The immense pressure Graeme Smith bore after the shoddy performance by his team is reflected in one of his cryptic messages that was posted on twitter in July. In the message he wrote he was a visible defeated soul having no control of the events.
He considered the captaincy as an honour and privilege to serve South Africa. In between the cryptic message were clear signals of resignation and retirement. He admitted to have quitting thoughts in his mind for a while after the amateurish performance by his led team in the T20 World Cup. Moreover his battle with injuries also remained a continuous source of irritation for him. The only series he completed was the Caribbean stunt of T20 World Cup. During the Indian tour Graeme Smith remained unable to play due to number of injuries. Similarly his fitness problems deprived him to lead the South African side against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 in 2008-09 one day series. Graeme smith missed another ODI series against England due to a tennis elbow. Hence his injury problems remained a constant issue during the previous seasons.
Graeme Smith rejected the idea that his decision to retire from captaincy is linked with the injury problems. He dismissed the perception that he would have been replaced in any case had he not stepped down voluntarily. He regarded his leadership style never believed in the invincibility of an individual rather depended on strategy and its execution as a team to win the game. The management in South African cricket would now be better prepared to choose a new leader for T20 well in time.
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