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Leeds - Proteas captain Graeme Smith has quickly switched back into Test match mode after returning back from South Africa where he was present for the birth of his first child.
Smith rejoined the squad on Monday in Leeds, and says he is technically and mentally ready ahead of the second Test match starting at Headingley on Thursday.
“I’ve had a little bit of time to get over the high,” Smith said about the birth of his daughter a week ago. “It has obviously been an amazing experience for me, I have had some time with the guys to settle down and to get focused on what is an important five days ahead.”
The euphoria after the resounding victory at The Oval has settled, which has helped by giving the squad the clear preparation, and understanding of the performance that is needed to dethrone the world’s No 1 Test team.
“We are quite respectful and realistic about what lies ahead. We know that getting the result at The Oval took at lot of hard work and many tough times during the match, which we won. We have come back down to earth and have focused on our preparation at Headingley.
“We are very respectful of England and what they bring to the challenge, they are still the No 1 team in the world. It’s a fresh game, both teams go into the game evenly matched and it all starts over again tomorrow (Thursday),” Smith commented about the match, which will also see him equal Australian Allan Border's world record of 93 Tests as captain.
Smith emphasised the basic approach needed for succeeding at the 16 500-seater ground, with overhead weather being tipped to play an influential role on conditions out in the middle.
“The style of play at Headingley can be very different, we have to be able to adapt on our feet and play good cricket at the right time in this game,” added Smith.
Smith rejoined the squad on Monday in Leeds, and says he is technically and mentally ready ahead of the second Test match starting at Headingley on Thursday.
“I’ve had a little bit of time to get over the high,” Smith said about the birth of his daughter a week ago. “It has obviously been an amazing experience for me, I have had some time with the guys to settle down and to get focused on what is an important five days ahead.”
The euphoria after the resounding victory at The Oval has settled, which has helped by giving the squad the clear preparation, and understanding of the performance that is needed to dethrone the world’s No 1 Test team.
“We are quite respectful and realistic about what lies ahead. We know that getting the result at The Oval took at lot of hard work and many tough times during the match, which we won. We have come back down to earth and have focused on our preparation at Headingley.
“We are very respectful of England and what they bring to the challenge, they are still the No 1 team in the world. It’s a fresh game, both teams go into the game evenly matched and it all starts over again tomorrow (Thursday),” Smith commented about the match, which will also see him equal Australian Allan Border's world record of 93 Tests as captain.
Smith emphasised the basic approach needed for succeeding at the 16 500-seater ground, with overhead weather being tipped to play an influential role on conditions out in the middle.
“The style of play at Headingley can be very different, we have to be able to adapt on our feet and play good cricket at the right time in this game,” added Smith.
