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Cape Town - Graeme Smith insists he's ready to lead the Proteas despite the skipper's surprising no-show at the crease in a warm-up game against Pakistan A on Thursday.
Questions were asked on Thursday when Smith did not bat in South Africa's second innings in their drawn warm-up game against Pakistan in Sharjah. He made only 2 runs in the first innings and clearly needed some batting practice after being sidelined for 21 weeks with an ankle injury.
Instead, JP Duminy and Faf du Plessis came out to open in South Africa's second innings, with Robin Peterson, Vernon Philander and Morné Morkel the other batsmen given time in the middle as the Proteas managed 109-3 before the game was called off.
However, Smith insists he'll be ready to lead South Africa in the first Test against Pakistan, starting in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
In an interview with the Cape Times, Smith said he had no problems with the injury and that he was just following protocols from the medical team.
"It's just a management process for me. I had major surgery six months ago and my workload in the last five days had been stepped up. I've been following the programmes that have been placed for me so that I can get on to the field on Monday."
Smith's only other recent time in the middle was when he featured for the Cape Cobras in a pre-season warm-up game against Indian side Madhya Pradesh at Newlands last Wednesday. He also made only two runs in that game.
The Proteas will play two Tests, five one-day internationals and two Twenty20 games against Pakistan in the UAE.
Questions were asked on Thursday when Smith did not bat in South Africa's second innings in their drawn warm-up game against Pakistan in Sharjah. He made only 2 runs in the first innings and clearly needed some batting practice after being sidelined for 21 weeks with an ankle injury.
Instead, JP Duminy and Faf du Plessis came out to open in South Africa's second innings, with Robin Peterson, Vernon Philander and Morné Morkel the other batsmen given time in the middle as the Proteas managed 109-3 before the game was called off.
However, Smith insists he'll be ready to lead South Africa in the first Test against Pakistan, starting in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
In an interview with the Cape Times, Smith said he had no problems with the injury and that he was just following protocols from the medical team.
"It's just a management process for me. I had major surgery six months ago and my workload in the last five days had been stepped up. I've been following the programmes that have been placed for me so that I can get on to the field on Monday."
Smith's only other recent time in the middle was when he featured for the Cape Cobras in a pre-season warm-up game against Indian side Madhya Pradesh at Newlands last Wednesday. He also made only two runs in that game.
The Proteas will play two Tests, five one-day internationals and two Twenty20 games against Pakistan in the UAE.
