BlueBee Posted March 4, 2014 Posted March 4, 2014 There was once a bright 22-year-old. He had just broken into a side that began to go through leadership crisis. They made him captain. Opposition captains, hardened, wizened, experienced men, tried to intimidate him, browbeat him, sledge him. They broke his hands, they injured his hamstrings, but the guy kept producing great innings without a cover drive in his repertoire; captained for 11 years, the last six of those without a series defeat. Late on March 3, with his team fighting hard, really hard, to try to keep that proud unbeaten series record in tact, he announced this Test is his last. Regardless of what happens over the next two days, it has been a great career for him. He is only 33. There are many 33-year-olds in many domestic circuits still hoping for a debut; here is a 33-year-old who has had a fulfilling, taxing, harrowing, satisfying, wholesome career already. We salute you, Graeme Craig Smith :hatsoff:
Straight Drive Posted March 4, 2014 Posted March 4, 2014 There was a hint about his retirement when few months back he got the right to represent Surrey in 2014 county championship as local player. Quality opener as well as a very successful batsman and captain.One of the reliable slip fielders .
Gambit Posted March 4, 2014 Posted March 4, 2014 Utter legend. Always struck me as more of an Australian than a SAfrican given his unyielding and uncompromising nature. His 2 double tons v England in England were as explosive an announcement as any and his 154* at Edgbaston in 2008 as big a captain's knock as any.
SLICKR392 Posted March 4, 2014 Posted March 4, 2014 Hmm. So Aussies end another career That's after Smith's South Africa ended the career of 3 International captains.
bharat297 Posted March 4, 2014 Posted March 4, 2014 Absolute legend. Rescued South Africa from the doldrums of corruption in the early 2000s and took them to No.1 in the world in all 3 formats.
gaurav92 Posted March 4, 2014 Posted March 4, 2014 Woah! Didn't see that coming. Legend :hatsoff: He is a responsible captain unlike MSD :winky:
CG Posted March 4, 2014 Posted March 4, 2014 I felt if he lost the series he might have been dropped as captain.But it was a surprise he retired.
The Outsider Posted March 4, 2014 Posted March 4, 2014 Top player, and very tough mentally. Stupid to suggest that Johnson made him retire, given how he has encountered tough situations in the past.
Crookbond Posted March 4, 2014 Posted March 4, 2014 I felt if he lost the series he might have been dropped as captain.But it was a surprise he retired. Huh? No way that would happen considering Kallis retirement last series.
prinzo Posted March 4, 2014 Posted March 4, 2014 OTHER TEAms can learn not to chop and change captains
tweaker Posted March 4, 2014 Posted March 4, 2014 He was going through lean period.He had put lot of pressure on himself There was lot of talk that he should make way for Quinton de Kock.
adi B Posted March 4, 2014 Posted March 4, 2014 smart retirement!!he didnt want to plague his surery contract,had to make a logical decision,selected thebetter one.. nonetheless a brilliant opener and a brave captain,congratz on the great career :hatsoff:
tweaker Posted March 4, 2014 Posted March 4, 2014 It will be impossible for SA to replace players of calibre of Kallis & Smith
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