Smith proud of South Africa’s impressive record away from home – Cricket News Update
South Africa’s Test skipper Graeme Smith is proud of his side’s run of impressive performances away from home, and said that it is a challenge that his side relishes the most.
“...Winning in someone else's backyard ... is a tough thing to do and I think that challenge is something that excites us,” http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Smith-c90598 told reporters at the team hotel on Monday.
The Proteas have not lost an away Test series since 2006, when they fell to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625 Test rankings, after thrashing England 2-0 in a three-Test series, at the latter’s backyard. Smith, 31, has credited the incredible record to consistent team selection and unity.
The left-handed top-order batsman, who was appointed as South Africa’s Test skipper in 2003, also believes his side’s 2-1 Test series win over Australia, in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746, four years ago was the first step of their rise to the No. 1 ranking, and is confident his side will emulate the good showing over the next month.
“Winning here four years ago, you arrive here knowing it’s something you’ve done before, it certainly helps in the self-belief factor, knowing that you’ve overcome a hurdle before,” said Smith, a veteran of 102 Tests and 186 One Day Internationals.
The series victory in 2008-09 was Proteas' first Test feat Down Under in nine trips and they have barely looked back since.
“...We've been pretty steady and consistent in our performances and maybe that was the stepping stone for the success that we've had,” the Proteas skipper added further.
Having toppled http://www.senore.com/Cricket/GC-Smith-c1473 led South African contingent is certainly not lacking in confidence ahead of the three-Test series against the mighty Aussies.
“The achievements the team have put together over the last few years, including England tour just gone by, we obviously arrive here with a self-belief that we can perform well,” said the left-hander.
Since replacing http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shaun-Maclean-Pollock-c89847 as Proteas Test skipper in 2003, Smith has led the side in 94 matches, winning 44 while losing 26.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 will open their latest tour of Australia on November 9, at Gabba.
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