Cricket
Smith should quit - Waugh
2012-02-07 07:47
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Cape Town - Former Australian captain Steve Waugh believes it's time for Graeme Smith to relinquish his Test captaincy role at the Proteas.
Waugh told the
Eyewitness News website that Smith should perhaps follow the example of former Australian captain Ricky Ponting by giving up his current role to focus more on his individual batting performance.
“Graeme [Smith] has been captain for a long time, since he was very young. Maybe it would be good for him to be a player not so much a captain.
"Ricky Ponting has done it and it relieved a lot of pressure on his shoulders. Graeme should think of not being a Test captain and just go there and enjoy his batting," said Waugh.
Waugh, who currently sits seventh on the all-time Test run scorers list with 10 927 runs, also said the Proteas are still too inconsistent at Test level.
“South Africa has moments when they look like the best side in the world and they have moments when they don’t look like the best side in the world. They are a little bit inconsistent. They really shout have beaten Australia 2-0 in the recent tour, but for some reason they can’t quite grab it when the opportunity presents itself,” said Waugh.
England's 3-0 series loss to Pakistan has given South Africa a big shot at becoming world No 1 in Tests. Should the Proteas beat New Zealand 3-0 in their upcoming Test series they will lift England out of the top spot.