Graeme Smith happy with the draw – Cricket News Update
South Africa skipper Graeme Smith reckons the draw was a fitting end to the first Test of the three-match series against Australia, at Brisbane.
"I think that both teams would have things they need to work on and things that they would be positive about in this game. So I would say a draw is an even reflection of the way the game played," said the visiting skipper during a post-match media interaction after the series opener at the Gabba ended in a draw on Tuesday.
After setting a 115-run first innings lead, the hosts had the tourists under check at 129 for 4 soon after tea on the final day, but failed to secure the final five wickets needed for an improbable win. After having lost the top four quite early, wicketkeeper batsman AB de Villiers (29 not out) took charge of keeping South Africa's hopes of a draw alive, taking the side to 166 for 5 at stumps.
The drawn clash was characterised by a docile pitch, big team totals (450 and 565 for 5 declare), and centuries for Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, Michael Hussey, Ed Cowan, and Michael Clarke, with the latter smashing a record-breaking 259 not out.
Smith was not satisfied with the way the Gabba strip behaved over the last five days. However, he admitted that there were some shortcomings in his side’s performance as well, particularly in the bowling department, which need to be addressed ahead of the second Test, starting at the Adelaide Oval on November 22.
"We have a few things to improve on. I think our bowling we can certainly raise a level a lot on what we showed in this game and I look forward to seeing that," said Smith, who himself failed to impress with the bat in both the innings, managing 10 and 23 runs.
"I just don't think we backed up well enough. There were periods where we were good and others where we lost our way a little bit," he added further.
South Africa’s fierce pace attack, featuring the likes of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander, managed to pick just four wickets in 138 overs.
Smith also had a word of praise for his Australian counterpart, who was latter adjudged as the Man of the Match for scoring a hefty 259 not out.
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