Bravo, Graeme Smith

[Mr. Wicket]

What a brilliant example of leading from the front. He's played two innings this series that had an "over my dead body" mentality. At Lord's, following on and facing the prospect of a huge defeat to start the series, Smith buckled down and gritted out a dull, often strokeless and dour hundred, setting an example for the rest of his men and turning the momentum of the series on its head. Now at Edgbaston, he's just sealed the series for his team. This was one of the best chasing innings I've ever seen. Almost flawless, bar that one blemish vs. Panesar. Some superb strokes, but a largely risk-free minimalist knock, free of panic or anything that could offer England a chance. Chasing 281 is never easy, chasing it on a turning, bouncing pitch with Panesar and Flintoff is even harder. At 178/5, I feared SAF might have fallen to yet another series-levelling defeat after going 1-0 up in England. Instead Smith showed an adhesiveness that reminded me of Waugh or Dravid in their prime, and just refused to let England get in any further. A brilliant effort. Maybe not the greatest tactician or strategist - but damnit, this is a man who truly knows how to lead from the front.

[Dravid]

yup, it was an amazing knock

[Ram]

Absolutely! What a fighter, he is as gritty as they come! If Grame Smith had been a soldier, he would have had the impudence to confront a F-22 with a kitchen knife. Simply awesome!

[swami1984]

as a batsman he is as good as they come in tests, odis and t20s (even his performances for royals were great)

[Predator_05]

That was the best innings of his life. Just sheer determination - you could see that in the way he "celebrated" his hundred. No over the top reactions, merely a muted acknowledgement of the richly deserved applause and then he just carried on from there. In the end, what initially looked like a tough chase became a hopelessly easy task. England's bowling in that last half hour was very flat to say the least, they just didn't have any answers. Credit to Boucher as well - his 45 was a really solid supporting act under pressure. Smith couldn't have done it alone.

[kablooee87]

Gained a lot of respect for him as a batsman this series. Well done.

[Predator_05]

It would be fair to say that the difference between the two sides could be traced to the performances of the two captains. Smith was always assertive, led from the front and scored runs whenever SA needed them. Vaughan was just a wreck, having one of the worst test series of his career. That's why SA won and England didn't. In bowling and in batting, especially with Flintoff back - both teams were evenly matched.

[King Tendulkar]

Class knock. Who would be the world 11 opening partnership. 3 to choose from Shewag, Hayden and Smith. All superb!

[kumble_rocks]

Well played Smith , what a time for Boucher to come back to form .. Thoroughly enjoyed this test match ! In my opinion , Smith is the best opener in the world today !

[King Tendulkar]

Although batting in 4th innnings in england is very easy these days, like batting on day 1. In fact batting in 4th innings is becoming easier and easier. In certain cases pitch is even better then day 1

[kumble_rocks]

Although batting in 4th innnings in england is very easy these days, like batting on day 1. In fact batting in 4th innings is becoming easier and easier. In certain cases pitch is even better then day 1

Today's pitch was slow turner, Monty was able to purchase a lot from the wicket ! Smith prefers fast bouncy pitches although SA pitches are hardly that .. Commendable innings from the skipper . Was instrumental in the series victory.

[Bumper]

Totally brilliant knock. After being reduced to 111/4, I thought SA was down & out. Smith went on to play an innings, every batsman dreams of playing in his career. An overseas 4th innings ton, chasing a stiff target on a not so easy to bat pitch, against a good attack. Bravo, Smithy! You can tell your grand children about this knock.

[Cricketics]

Total top class stuff. absolutly class knock. not every day you see such knocks. pressure was on, wickets kept tumbling on the other end but he kept his cool, played his shots and handled all the bowlers pretty well and deservingly ended up as not out

[King Tendulkar]

Today's pitch was slow turner' date=' Monty was able to purchase a lot from the wicket ! Smith prefers fast bouncy pitches although SA pitches are hardly that .. Commendable innings from the skipper . Was instrumental in the series victory.[/quote'] Yes good knock no doubt. Class. BUT the pitch was a beaut, No demons in at all, as good as batting on a tip top 1st day track. My point is not to knock Smith but to point out that good 4th innings knocks are not as merited as say a decade a go when batting in 4th innings was VERY VERY tough. Pitches are so good these days!

[King]

Awesome knock and put England in its deserving place. Whatever the pitch or conditions a 150+ score even in a first inning on a flat track is commendable. To produce a knock like this to clinch the series is all the more better. One of the better innings of the recent years. Imagine the celebrations if Tendulkar, Rahul or Ponting would have come up with a similar knock. Smith deserves all the accolades there is. This also was against the best England bowling attack as they claim. Injury free Freddi, Monty, the great Anderson and the great Sidebottom were all there in the line up :winky:

[Deleted_User_1]

Maybe the big three needs to learn from him?

[Chaos]

Maybe the big three needs to learn from him?

we dont need to talk how upright pathetic he is against aussies.

[arkay]

A captain's knock and came where it mattered. A real example of leading from the front.

[Dhondy]

Here's why the man deserves a straight passport to greatness. This is from Neil Manthorp in Supersport. It was the 25th time in his career that Smith has batted in pursuit of a last innings target and it was the 14th time his team has won. The other 11 matches have been drawn or lost. His own aggregate during those run chases is a staggering 736 at an equally staggering average of 81.77. Only five men have scored more runs in winning pursuits - Matthew Hayden, Gordon Greenidge, Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting and Desmond Haynes - all of whom played over a hundred tests compared to Smith's 69. If that doesn't say 'Big Match Temperament', nothing ever will.

[Dhondy]

Has some related, absolutely astounding career stats. Averages 42.85 at home and 56.41 away, a ratio of 1.31. Averages 53.68 in the 4th match innings. Got to be one of the best chasers and away performers in the world game.