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Johannesburg - Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Saturday lauded Graeme Smith on becoming the most capped South African ODI captain when the second MTN ODI between the Proteas and India began at the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg.
Smith (29) achieved this with his 139th ODI as captain of the Proteas, overtaking the late Hansie Cronje on 138.
Gerald Majola, CSA CEO, commented: “Graeme Smith’s achievement is outstanding, especially when it is taken into account that he became captain at the age of 21, only after one full season in international cricket.
“Graeme has more than justified CSA’s faith in his leadership qualities when he was appointed at such a young age, and since then he has grown considerably in stature both as a player and as a captain.
“He made his ODI captaincy debut against India at Dhaka in 2003, and it is most fitting that he achieves this extraordinary South African captaincy record against India eight years later.
“Graeme has an ODI average of over 40 and a Test average of over 50, which is remarkable because he has done this on top of being captain in both forms of the game and he has not yet reached 30 years of age.
“He has been an essential part of the process that has moulded the Proteas into a formidable ODI unit, and the cherry on the top of his captaincy would certainly be bringing the ICC World Cup home after the forthcoming tournament in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
“CSA salutes Graeme Smith for what he has done and will continue to do for the progress of South African cricket in achieving its aim of becoming a truly national sport of winners.”
Smith (29) achieved this with his 139th ODI as captain of the Proteas, overtaking the late Hansie Cronje on 138.
Gerald Majola, CSA CEO, commented: “Graeme Smith’s achievement is outstanding, especially when it is taken into account that he became captain at the age of 21, only after one full season in international cricket.
“Graeme has more than justified CSA’s faith in his leadership qualities when he was appointed at such a young age, and since then he has grown considerably in stature both as a player and as a captain.
“He made his ODI captaincy debut against India at Dhaka in 2003, and it is most fitting that he achieves this extraordinary South African captaincy record against India eight years later.
“Graeme has an ODI average of over 40 and a Test average of over 50, which is remarkable because he has done this on top of being captain in both forms of the game and he has not yet reached 30 years of age.
“He has been an essential part of the process that has moulded the Proteas into a formidable ODI unit, and the cherry on the top of his captaincy would certainly be bringing the ICC World Cup home after the forthcoming tournament in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
“CSA salutes Graeme Smith for what he has done and will continue to do for the progress of South African cricket in achieving its aim of becoming a truly national sport of winners.”
