Image Credit- Getty
Former captain Graeme Smith believes Temba Bavuma
should take the captaincy to lead South Africa to their first-ever World Cup
victory, citing one of their “most destructive” middle-order players
as the reason for the team’s success. Although Smith acknowledges that he did
not anticipate this South African team to be so merciless, he claims that their
winning ways and steady play have made them favourites to win the championship.
“I went into the event with fewer expectations than everyone else. I was
aware that certain individuals needed to have strong tournaments if the team
was to perform well, and that has happened,” Smith told PTI.
“South Africa has a really destructive middle
order. I would probably say one of South Africa’s most destructive middle-order
ever — with Nos 4, 5 and 6, (Aiden) Markram, (Heinrich) Klaasen and (David)
Miller — you have got players that have incredible power and destructive
ability. They all play spin well, that is a huge asset.” For a team to
have recorded totals in the range of 400 as many as three times, Smith feels
batting with freedom has led them to dominate the opposition in the competition
and they must stick with what has worked for them with the semifinals looming
large.
“They are building up to some big games, against
Afghanistan, New Zealand and India. Hopefully, they can maintain the freedom
(with which) they have been playing with,” said Smith, who is also the league
commissioner of SA20.
“The key for them now, getting to these stages in
the tournament, (the) conversations change, (the) pressure changes and
expectations are now there. They should just focus on cricket and play the way
they have played.” Smith said South Africa’s success is a testimony to the
work done by captain Bavuma, white ball coach Rob Walter and senior players,
but the skipper must put in some strong performances too.
“The opportunity for Temba is incredible. Our
rugby team has just won the World Cup now, South Africa is going sports-mad at
the moment and you expect that to now translate into the Proteas … I am
hoping for a South Africa-India final — that would be great.” Smith, who
has an incredible record of 53 wins from 108 Tests as captain, was relieved
South Africa have been able to put behind disappointing performances in the
past World Cup events and are in the ‘hunt’ for their maiden title win in this
edition.
“South Africa has been there as well for the last
few tournaments. From our perspective it is great to see that the team is doing
well and in the hunt — that is what you want — you want your team in the hunt
as you get to crunch time in the tournament,” he said.