Graeme Smith reiterates commitment to South Africa – Cricket News Update
Responding to recent reports which suggested that English County club Surrey were looking to sign him for next season, South African Test captain http://www.senore.com/Cricket/GC-Smith-c1473 has maintained that international duties are his top priority, despite having been offered a wide
array of opportunities.
“I remain committed to the Proteas and my international career. I'm constantly approached about cricketing opportunities at home and abroad and always consider them,” Smith posted on micro-blogging site Twitter.
Earlier this week, ESPNcricinfo reported that Surrey were looking to sign a new player to lead the side and serve as a powerful opening batsman. The new player is required largely for the purpose of helping the team get back on track after a string
of unfortunate events, including the retirement of veteran batsman Mark Ramprakash, the shocking and traumatic death of talented young batsman Tom Maynard, and most recently the departure of ex-skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Rory-Hamilton-Brown-c2366.
While the option of signing Smith as an overseas player remains, a source in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 revealed that the club were looking for a cricketer who would be willing to manage a more long-term association with the club, remaining reluctant to sign a player
who would come and go as per international duties. The club however, decline to comment when contacted.
The reasons behind http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Surrey-c851’s decision to zero in on Smith, meanwhile, are not hard to decipher. Partly responsible for building South Africa into the formidable side it is today, Smith has been lauded as much for his batting abilities as he has for his leadership,
after having taken up the role of captain at the age of 22. Since then he has gone on to lead the team to numerous victories (the Proteas recently claimed the top Test team spot on http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013), although a World Cup triumph continues to elude
the team, since 1998.
Having made his debut during a Test match against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Allan-Robert-Border-c43726) and a veteran of 102 Tests with 8314 runs (including
25 centuries) at an average of 49.78 – a veritable mine of experience which would appear an attractive package for any team.
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