Showing posts with label CSA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CSA. Show all posts
March 06, 2014
March 05, 2014
Graeme Smith final press conference as captain
Graeme Smith said on Wednesday he was keen to continue
to play a role in South African cricket following his retirement from
the international game as a player.
"I'd love to play a role with Cricket South Africa and who knows where that's going to be," he said in his final press conference as captain after his side's 245-run defeat in the third Test against Australia.
"I've gained a lot of
experience over the years, worked with a lot of people and feel I still
have a lot to offer South African cricket."
Smith said he believed it was important to create the right environment for the national team to go forward into the future.
"I think there are some important things that need to be tightened,"
"The leadership group is going to be a crucial factor, how they galvanise these players and get them working and going in the right direction. There are a lot of wonderful players who can take it forward (but) there are certainly challenges on the exterior that need to be met."
Smith said he started to think of retirement when Gary Kirsten stepped down as coach last year.
"When he left as coach that's when the thoughts entered my mind. It has taken a period of time to process that."
He also said he had planned to announce his retirement before the final Test.
"It's been on my mind since before the series started. The hard part was to have the courage to make the decision. It felt like the time was right for me. I wanted to do it before the Test match started."
He added that a household accident to his 19-month-old daughter Cadence, who had been "in and out of hospital", had distracted him.
"You put things off. But I realised this was the place where I wanted to finish my career."
Asked to list the highlights of his career, he said: "As a leader, when you start to figure out the type of players and the environment you want and you see it growing as it has, that for me is the greatest achievement.
"To create the Proteas culture and be part of that has been really special and I'd love to see that grow." He said Test series wins in England and Australia and success in the Asian sub-continent had been highlights.
"Remaining unbeaten for a lengthy period of time and our record away from home is something I'm really proud of," he said.
Smith, who made 9,265 runs in Tests and 6,989 in one-dayers, said he was also proud of how he had built a good personal record despite criticism of his technique.
"When I started my professional career all I used to hear about was my grip and my stance and that I needed to change a lot of things."
"If you don't have as much talent as a lot of people but you are determined, work hard and are resilient there is still a lot you can achieve in life and sport."
classvsCricket (CvC) © 2014
"I'd love to play a role with Cricket South Africa and who knows where that's going to be," he said in his final press conference as captain after his side's 245-run defeat in the third Test against Australia.
 |
| Graeme Smith |
Smith said he believed it was important to create the right environment for the national team to go forward into the future.
"I think there are some important things that need to be tightened,"
"The leadership group is going to be a crucial factor, how they galvanise these players and get them working and going in the right direction. There are a lot of wonderful players who can take it forward (but) there are certainly challenges on the exterior that need to be met."
Smith said he started to think of retirement when Gary Kirsten stepped down as coach last year.
"When he left as coach that's when the thoughts entered my mind. It has taken a period of time to process that."
He also said he had planned to announce his retirement before the final Test.
"It's been on my mind since before the series started. The hard part was to have the courage to make the decision. It felt like the time was right for me. I wanted to do it before the Test match started."
He added that a household accident to his 19-month-old daughter Cadence, who had been "in and out of hospital", had distracted him.
"You put things off. But I realised this was the place where I wanted to finish my career."
Asked to list the highlights of his career, he said: "As a leader, when you start to figure out the type of players and the environment you want and you see it growing as it has, that for me is the greatest achievement.
"To create the Proteas culture and be part of that has been really special and I'd love to see that grow." He said Test series wins in England and Australia and success in the Asian sub-continent had been highlights.
"Remaining unbeaten for a lengthy period of time and our record away from home is something I'm really proud of," he said.
Smith, who made 9,265 runs in Tests and 6,989 in one-dayers, said he was also proud of how he had built a good personal record despite criticism of his technique.
"When I started my professional career all I used to hear about was my grip and my stance and that I needed to change a lot of things."
"If you don't have as much talent as a lot of people but you are determined, work hard and are resilient there is still a lot you can achieve in life and sport."
classvsCricket (CvC) © 2014
March 04, 2014
Graeme Smith, one of the most dogged batsmen of his generation, stunned
South Africa on Monday by announcing he will retire from international
cricket at the end of the ongoing third test against Australia at
Newlands.
"This has been the most difficult decision I have ever had to make in
my life. It's a decision that I have been considering since my ankle
surgery in April last year," Smith said in a statement released by CSA.
"I have a young family to consider, and I felt that retiring at Newlands would be the best way to end it because I have called this place home since I was 18 years-old."
"I have been fortunate to have had many highs, amongst them leading and being part of the best test team in the world. I will cherish these memories for the rest of my life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I bid my career a fond yet sad farewell," he continued.
CSA chief executive Haroon Lorgat praised Smith for his service to the game.
"Although Graeme's decision to retire from all forms of international cricket comes as a surprise to all of us, we must respect him for deciding to call time," Lorgat said.
"Knowing him as well as I do, having been instrumental as a selector in appointing him as a young captain, he would not have taken this decision lightly or without a great deal of thought.
"Following the recent retirement of Jacques Kallis from test cricket, there is no doubt that we are now ready to move into a new era and it is our job to build on the solid foundations that these great players leave behind."
"I would like us to remember Graeme for his nerves of steel and his match-winning performances that were synonymous with some of the most remarkable fourth innings victory chases of all time." he said.
"These included setting up the 414 runs chase against Australia at Perth and his series-clinching innings at Edgbaston in 2008, not to mention the unbeaten century the last time he faced Australia at Newlands in 2011.
"His role in setting up the famous 438 win over Australia in 2006 was also a performance never to be forgotten."
classvsCricket (CvC) © 2014
 |
| Graeme Smith |
"I have a young family to consider, and I felt that retiring at Newlands would be the best way to end it because I have called this place home since I was 18 years-old."
"I have been fortunate to have had many highs, amongst them leading and being part of the best test team in the world. I will cherish these memories for the rest of my life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I bid my career a fond yet sad farewell," he continued.
CSA chief executive Haroon Lorgat praised Smith for his service to the game.
"Although Graeme's decision to retire from all forms of international cricket comes as a surprise to all of us, we must respect him for deciding to call time," Lorgat said.
"Knowing him as well as I do, having been instrumental as a selector in appointing him as a young captain, he would not have taken this decision lightly or without a great deal of thought.
"Following the recent retirement of Jacques Kallis from test cricket, there is no doubt that we are now ready to move into a new era and it is our job to build on the solid foundations that these great players leave behind."
"I would like us to remember Graeme for his nerves of steel and his match-winning performances that were synonymous with some of the most remarkable fourth innings victory chases of all time." he said.
"These included setting up the 414 runs chase against Australia at Perth and his series-clinching innings at Edgbaston in 2008, not to mention the unbeaten century the last time he faced Australia at Newlands in 2011.
"His role in setting up the famous 438 win over Australia in 2006 was also a performance never to be forgotten."
classvsCricket (CvC) © 2014
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