achilles Posted March 9, 2011 Posted March 9, 2011 Graeme Smith South African captain Graeme Smith is in no mood to accept that his side choked against England and on Monday backed the team to bounce back in the World Cup. “I believe in this team...we have the opportunity to shape today & tomorrow and we will be there when it counts. Thanx to our loyal supporters,†said Smith on Twitter. “One thing is for sure ... I’m not gonna admit to people’s agendas ... this team has something,†he wrote. Yesterday, Smith hit back at claims that his side had “choked†once again after a dramatic six-run loss to England in Chennai. Needing just 172 to win, they were cruising at 124 for three in the 32nd over but were reduced to 127 for seven in the 37th over before being all out for 165. Take a bow :bow:
julianlev Posted March 9, 2011 Posted March 9, 2011 I'm normally understanding when someone doesn't like a player, but this is really pushing it Not only is this thread pointless, its also quite insulting Smith has been one of the best captains that South Africa has ever had he's served us longer than any other captain and has lead us to some great victories, no not in any world cup which is all some people seem to be interested in, but series wins in just about every major cricket playing nation, not to mention captaining us through what many call "the greatest ODI ever played." Every captain has good and bad periods, but it's the mark of a good captain to endure those lows and come back stronger, like Ponting after the Ashes this year. If you have a problem with Smith, thats fine, but at least show some modicum of respect to a man who helped make the South Afican team what it is today.When he finally does relinquish the captain role, we in South Africa will be very sorry to see him go, and personally, I wish him the best of luck in the remainder of his career :hatsoff:
achilles Posted March 9, 2011 Author Posted March 9, 2011 ^ Its a joke. I'm sorry if you thought otherwise.
f.b.m Posted March 9, 2011 Posted March 9, 2011 I always thought that achilles and asterix were the same person even after three years on this forum. This thread shows the reason lololol.
Bumblebee Posted March 9, 2011 Posted March 9, 2011 Stupid thread! Op tries to do a TDIGI, well you dont even come close buddy! pathetic idea
Ashraful_Rox Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 I agree with the rest of yall, this thread is making ICF look bad. Sorry achillies brother I know you are from kolkota but I am a straight forward person like Sehwag
DaFan Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 I agree with the rest of yall' date=' this thread is making ICF look bad. Sorry achillies brother I know you are from kolkota but [b']I am a straight forward person like Sehwag :cantstop:
EnterTheVoid Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 Smith is a VERY, VERY good captain. He lead his team to series victory against England in England and against Australia in Australia. Not to mention he came out to bat with a broken hand to save the test.
achilles Posted March 10, 2011 Author Posted March 10, 2011 ^ Yes. That was a great thing to do. Reminded me of a certain Mr. Kumble. But for all his genius moments, he's had some pretty ordinary ones for when he loses, he doesn't do so with dignity.
EnterTheVoid Posted March 10, 2011 Posted March 10, 2011 This one act confirms what a legend Smith is. Sometimes you just know a particular sporting moment will be remembered forever. The moment Graeme Smith walked out to bat at the SCG in January 2009 is one of them. 46-years ago, Englishman Colin Cowdrey trudged out against the West Indies with a broken wrist. But he was at the non-strikers end and didn’t have to face any deliveries. This was different. No one but Smith will know the pain it took to defend 17 balls with his left hand broken and his right arm numb from injections. It says so much about his character that, having won the series, he still wanted to deny Australia any success. It also says so much about the sport of cricket, which is considered non-contact in theory but not in practice. In the end, a wicked in-swinging delivery by Mitchell Johnson ended the inspirational innings of three runs. As he walked out the Australian players must have been in awe. A KFC poll asked the question: “Would you bat if you were Graeme Smith?,” to which the majority said “Yes.” Of course they would go out and bat with a broken hand and a ball coming at over 140kph, with the very real possibility of being hit in the gloves again. I can’t even run when I have blisters because it’s too sore. But maybe I’ll stop complaining now that I’ve witnessed Graeme Smith’s efforts. It brought back memories of Steve Waugh in the 1997 Ashes series at Old Trafford where he scored two centuries in the match. In the second innings, he virtually batted with one hand because his right hand was badly bruised. Then there are those other amazing stories you read about in sport. I have the FIFA World Cup DVD box set that relives moments in World Cup history. One of them was the Czech goalkeeper Frantisek Planicka, who stayed on the field in 1938, despite breaking his arm! One can only imagine how painful it was for him to even catch an innocuous ball that day, let alone attempt a save. Now, there is another story to add to the list of tough, inspirational sporting moments. Many batsmen have broken fingers over the years, but few are willing to put the team ahead of their own personal well-being. Whatever Graeme Smith does for the rest of his career, the 7th January, 2009, will be remembered as the day he played one of the most unselfish innings ever seen. Link: http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/01/08/australia-win-but-graeme-smith-is-the-real-hero/
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