LONDON, July 5: Ashwell Prince told South Africa cricket fans not to worry about the form of Graeme Smith after the Proteas captain’s first, and possibly only, innings before next week’s first Test against England saw him make just 35 against Middlesex here on Friday.

Smith contributed just 29 to a second-wicket stand of 106 with Hashim Amla after the early loss of Neil McKenzie before being caught behind shortly after lunch off pace bowler Alan Richardson.

“He (Smith) batted for more than two hours out there, and the ball did go around a little bit this morning,” Prince said.

“He hasn’t batted for a while. But those two hours — and some more in the second innings, we hope — I’m sure that will be enough time in terms of preparation for the Test,” he added.—AFP