Graeme Smith retires

[locky801]

Another one gone

http://cricketa.us/1okVgOF

[Phantom Gossiper]

He's only a pup still!

[Booney]

Interesting one.

Even though many would think 33 is a little early to give it away, IIRC he was skipper at about 21? He's been in a high pressure position for some time.

Can't say he's been a very likeable, either to listen to him speak or watch him bat. Typical left hand opener.

[Footy Smart]

Remember watching and thoroughly enjoying him destroy the Poms in 2003 I think it was with back to back double tons!

[mal]

Might have averaged 50 + had it not been for Mitchell Johnson

[Jim05]

Lets hope Mitch sends him off with another broken finger.

[Phantom Gossiper]

Lets hope Mitch sends him off with another broken f**king finger.

Edited for accuracy

[Footy Smart]

Might have averaged 50 + had it not been for Mitchell Johnson

Definately could have. A very good batsmen and competitor. Big shoes to fill in the SA side now with him and Jaques gone!

[Phantom Gossiper]

Might have averaged 50 + had it not been for Mitchell Johnson

Definately could have. A very good batsmen and competitor. Big shoes to fill in the SA side now with him and Jaques gone!

Who will captain the side? De Villiers?

[Footy Smart]

Might have averaged 50 + had it not been for Mitchell Johnson

Definately could have. A very good batsmen and competitor. Big shoes to fill in the SA side now with him and Jaques gone!

Who will captain the side? De Villiers?

Wouldnt think so unless he gave up the gloves.... best bat, keeper and skipper? alot to do

Not sure of Amla of Pfaf as a leader?

[mighty_tiger_79]

I hope he makes a century in his final innings. it wont save them the game. I have enjoyed watching him play, was a very young skipper, so perhaps that has taken its toll. would have been nice if Kallis stuck around for this series and they went out together.

he has certainly had a great career

[mal]

Off all the 9 nations Smith played against his lowest average ends up against Australia
These stats may or may not include this Test
1230 runs
3 tons
34.16 average

His overall record against all nations is very good
35.00 SL
37.96 IN
42.35 NZ
46.62 PA
56.97 EG
69.26 WI
81.00 ZI
82.55 BA

Without checking
Maybe someone could verify
He has really struggled against Johnson at various times
And he has a low average against SL + IN
SL + IN i reckon have had several left hand bowlers in their line ups during Smiths career

Could Smith have had a prob against teams with LH bowlers or left hand bowlers ?

[Phantom Gossiper]

Played Sri Lanka 7x times.

Dismissed by:
3x Dilhara Fernando - Right Arm Medium Fast
2x Sanath Jayasuria - Left Arm Orthodox
Hasantha Fernando - Right Arm Medium Fast
Chaminda Vaas - Left Arm Fast Medium
Upul Chandana - Right Arm Legspin
Lasith Malinga - Right Arm Fast
Chanaka Welegedara - Left Arm Fast Medium
Dhammika Prasad - Right Arm Fast Medium

[Rik E Boy]

I hope he makes a century in his final innings. it wont save them the game. I have enjoyed watching him play, was a very young skipper, so perhaps that has taken its toll. would have been nice if Kallis stuck around for this series and they went out together.

he has certainly had a great career

**** off I hope he gets out for **** all. Adios.

regards,

REB

[Jimmy_041]

Might have averaged 50 + had it not been for Mitchell Johnson

Definately could have. A very good batsmen and competitor. Big shoes to fill in the SA side now with him and Jaques gone!

Who will captain the side? De Villiers?

Wouldnt think so unless he gave up the gloves.... best bat, keeper and skipper? alot to do

Not sure of Amla of Pfaf as a leader?

ala Alec Stewart

[whufc]

Very very very good cricket career comes to an end

Would have been an extremly tough gig captaining a Saffie teams especially considering the politics behind the scenes.

To me him and Kallis are the stereotypical cricketer when thinking of saffie players.

Strong build, tough, gritty cricketers, who really get behind there own boys.

[bennymacca]

cant deny he has been a gun for a long time.

maybe they should have thought about trying to replace him as captain earlier and let him play on without that pressure? being captain for more than 10 years from such a young age would take its toll on anyone.


now for some speculation - if i am correct he has an irish wife and was applying for irish dual citizenship - could we see him take a year or two off (or just first class cricket in england/ireland) and then become the captain of the first irish test side?

[Failed Creation]

cant deny he has been a gun for a long time.

maybe they should have thought about trying to replace him as captain earlier and let him play on without that pressure? being captain for more than 10 years from such a young age would take its toll on anyone.


now for some speculation - if i am correct he has an irish wife and was applying for irish dual citizenship - could we see him take a year or two off (or just first class cricket in england/ireland) and then become the captain of the first irish test side?

Will the Irish be playing Test cricket in two years?

[bennymacca]

there has been some talk of that, with the ICC restructure etc going on, that they will introduce a tournament for the associate teams to play, and the winner will then play off against the 10th ranked test team (BAN) and if they win that game they will have test status for some period of time.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/cont ... 14155.html

[Failed Creation]

there has been some talk of that, with the ICC restructure etc going on, that they will introduce a tournament for the associate teams to play, and the winner will then play off against the 10th ranked test team (BAN) and if they win that game they will have test status for some period of time.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci-icc/cont ... 14155.html

That's not a bad idea!