Grim Smif |
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SA fan 
12th Man 
Joined: 05 December 2006 Posts: 15 |
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 Topic: Grim SmifPosted: 07 December 2006 at 2:23pm |
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Graeme Smith - has played some wonderful knocks, and is the sort of gutsy captain that a side like South Africa needs.
but...
His recent form is terrible, and his attitude has plumbed new depths, even when victorious.
So my question - does Smith deserve a place in the team on current form, and if so, does he deserve to be SA Captain on current attitude? If not, who should take his place (as batsman and captain)?
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Clobber
Captain 
Joined: 03 January 2006 Posts: 8838 |
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Posted: 07 December 2006 at 2:42pm |
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I have to say I'm not a fan of him as either a batsman or a leader.
There are few less attractive players to watch batting - I call him Farmer because his grip, stance and general technique look more suited to wielding a shovel or pickaxe down on the farm than to batting. Generally speaking he has a bit too much to say for himself, pretty much all the time too. As a captain his entire tactical method seems to be based on clapping his hands and shouting a lot - especially when he realises the TV cameras are on him according to one England player! Even one of the South African commentators was saying that whenever he goes up to a bowler who has just been hit for a boundary, his tactical acumen amounts to "try and bowl a better ball this time". How on earth did he pull the lovely Minki anyway? |
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-JP-
Manager 
Joined: 21 January 2005 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 6232 |
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Posted: 07 December 2006 at 2:45pm |
Possibly why he fitted in so well at Somerset! |
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SA fan
12th Man
Joined: 05 December 2006 Posts: 15 |
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Posted: 07 December 2006 at 2:59pm |
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I lost a lot of respect for him when they were in Aus. I know you have to give the Aussies as good as you get, but unless you have given them a good hiding, stony silence would have been a better approach. Rather than bold, brash statements that just left him and his team red in the face.
And his style is not easy on the eye - he clearly grew up watching Kepler Wessels, who used to use his bat for trench-digging...
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Fozzy
Short Leg
Joined: 09 November 2006 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 70 |
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Posted: 07 December 2006 at 3:58pm |
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Reminds me of a certain England captain (originally from SA) called Tony Grieg and his remarks when England toured WI when they had a great team. He said something about making them grovel - 5-0 to WI later the term blackwash was invented.
His form will come back so keep him. he is probably best option at the moment.
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Peace and goodwill to all men .... and aussies
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70_degree_spin
Opener
Joined: 05 August 2006 Posts: 2252 |
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Posted: 07 December 2006 at 5:45pm |
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Never seen him play that well, apparently he had a wonder series
against us a few years back but thats the only good I've heard about
him.
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Sledger
Captain
Dickenson can marry my mother-in-law ! Joined: 08 August 2005 Location: South Africa Posts: 15694 |
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Posted: 08 December 2006 at 6:56am |
That's a real head scratcher , to be sure Clobs! You'll be pleased to hear she's kicked him into touch and is now seen with some rich good looking git who's some sort of fashion model - a Graeme Smith clone - NOT! As for the man himself , I'm ambivalent - when he's going he scores quickly and he has a good eye - he has to because of all that playing across his front pad. No more than average captain , watch how he adjusts the field after just a single boundary - he follows the ball all the time! Just as annoying are his interviews - he really isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer. His favourite buzzword just now is MOMENTUM - manages to get it into practically EVERY sentence. I'd have to say the word "pratt" sums him up rather well. |
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Mental disintegration works for me !!
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Clobber
Captain
Joined: 03 January 2006 Posts: 8838 |
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Posted: 08 December 2006 at 4:08pm |
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That news that she dumped him has cheered me up immensely!
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Sledger
Captain
Dickenson can marry my mother-in-law ! Joined: 08 August 2005 Location: South Africa Posts: 15694 |
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Posted: 11 December 2006 at 7:40am |
The news gets better Clobs - he's all on his lonesome at the moment - nobody loves him !! |
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Mental disintegration works for me !!
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Sledger
Captain
Dickenson can marry my mother-in-law ! Joined: 08 August 2005 Location: South Africa Posts: 15694 |
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Posted: 20 December 2006 at 6:27am |
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Last night's SA Cricket Programme "Inside Edge" was
discussing Smith's current form (or lack of it!) and Lorgat was
quoted as saying , when asked,"Has Graeme's position in the side been
discussed in selection meetings?" He responded ,"Yes it has and
after deliberation it was decided not to drop him YET."
The emphasis on the word "yet" is mine , but it's significance can't be underestimated - maybe he's for the chop if he doesn't come right. This development must've cost Herschelle a sleepless night as well! |
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Mental disintegration works for me !!
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minimurali
Wicket-Keeper
Like Murali, only smaller...and rubbish Joined: 05 February 2006 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 1723 |
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Posted: 20 December 2006 at 6:54pm |
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Aye, at least it shows they're not afraid to chop and change the star players - current form must have something to do with it??
EDIT: "it" referring to the selection of the squad by the way. Edited by minimurali - 20 December 2006 at 6:55pm |
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County Sim on extended break until I've got less work and more free time. When I have a specific date, I'll post it in the thread.
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Sledger
Captain
Dickenson can marry my mother-in-law ! Joined: 08 August 2005 Location: South Africa Posts: 15694 |
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Posted: 21 December 2006 at 5:41am |
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Talk is cheap Mini , SA hasn't the depth to easily dispose of it's
established players. Dropping Gibbs is a possibility (just where is his
next run coming from?) , dropping Smith would be a real bombshell and
the regime running SA cricket is very conservative.
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Mental disintegration works for me !!
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prasmp
Short Leg
Joined: 21 December 2006 Location: India Posts: 76 |
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Posted: 23 December 2006 at 10:39am |
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grame smith lbw b zaheer khan weakness to note for the left arm quickies.
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minimurali
Wicket-Keeper
Like Murali, only smaller...and rubbish Joined: 05 February 2006 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 1723 |
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Posted: 23 December 2006 at 1:33pm |
Aye, I think it's similar to the ECB in that respect - but dropping Gibbs for example would be a start and would allow a youngstera chance to shine instead of watching Gibbs fail yet again. However as you also said depth is something SA don't have, maybe the SA county players should take note and try and win over the selectors with some good form domestically.
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County Sim on extended break until I've got less work and more free time. When I have a specific date, I'll post it in the thread.
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zaktoo
Short Leg
Joined: 10 July 2006 Location: South Africa Posts: 83 |
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Posted: 10 February 2007 at 4:14am |
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Smith isn't the most likable chap, but for sure he's better than his detractors here would suggest, in my opinion. He is gritty and has backbone, which is a lot more than we've had in a captain in a while. He is also pretty explosive with the bat, despite unorthodox technique, when in form. He'll never be a Grace, Bradman or even Jimmy Cook, but he brings some much-needed spine to the team.
In terms of depth & selection, SA have appalling selectors and always have had. There's some Old Boys Club element to it, as well as utter fear of taking chances. Then there's all the political pressure - both from those agitating for quota-based selections and those agitated by it. A few years of brave selecting would have unearthed a good number of superb players. As it stands, we're left with some decent bowlers, a lad with massive potential (AB de Villiers), no spinners worth the name and on the whole a bunch of so-so players who keep getting selected over & over, potential and ability be damned! |
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