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| September 10, 2003 | Wednesday | Rajab 12, 1424 |
Smith looking forward to Pakistan tour
DURBAN, Sept 9: South African cricket captain Graeme Smith on Tuesday said he was satisifed with performance of his players during three-month England tour and was now looking forward to next assignment in Pakistan.
Smith, at 22 the youngest player ever to captain South Africa, said although the team would spend only seven days at home, it was looking forward to playing in Pakistan.
He admitted that the side lacked “killer instinct” and blamed the team’s inability to cope up with pressure for defeat to England in fifth cricket Test in London.
South Africa went into the Oval Test with a 2-1 lead and were billed as favourites to clinch the match and break their winless streak in England since 1965.
However, England upset the applecart to score a nine-wicket win and level series 2-2 on Monday.
But Smith was unwilling to admit that the Proteas were fast earning the tag of “chokers. I don’t think we’re chokers,” Smith said in an interview to South African Radio Station SAFM.
“England played well although I think we lacked the killer instict. It’s obviously disappointing not to capitalise on the 2-1 advantage we enjoyed at the start of fifth Test.
“Test cricket is about pressure and we didn’t cope with it in this match.”—PPI
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