South Africa vow to bounce back in third one-dayer

South African captain Graeme Smith is not pressing the panic button despite the stunning reversal in the second one-day international against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

“I think we played very good cricket so far on the series as a group. The reality check is always good. We came here looking for answers. Our ability to bounce back is going to be tested,” said Smith as the Cool & Cool Cup five match one-day series moves to Dubai Sports City’s cricket stadium on Tuesday.

“I think both teams are on a neutral standing at 1-1 in the series,” Smith commented at press conference on Monday. “With four games in Abu Dhabi we won three so we still have a lot of confidence. Abdul Razzaq played an important knock and took the game away from us in the end and it’s important for us to re-assess.”

 

“Tuesday is going to be a very quick turnaround. I think it is important to have an even keel about things. Not to get up when you win and too down when you lose,” said the veteran opener who missed Friday’s match along with all-rounder Jacques Kallis.

“We batted very well. Colin’s (Ingram) hundred was terrific. (Abdul) Razzaq played incredible innings which won them the game,” he said.

He reiterated that Pakistan were always dangerous opponents despite problems in their camp. “We know that Pakistan can be an unpredictable team. They proved that even in England, they only lost that series 3-2 away from home, amidst the chaos. They have dangerous cricketers and we need to be at our best and Abdul Razzaq proved that again last night (Friday),” he said.

 

Smith said that the tour had gone very well and that the facilities and pleased with the support they had received.

 

“So far it’s been terrific. We have had a great time and the facilities have been very good. We are looking forward to the new experience in Dubai. The exciting thing for us was the way that we got a little bit of support as well, which was nice, but so far we have had a thoroughly good time on this trip and it does help if you play well,” he said.

 

Smith added that he expected conditions in Dubai to be similar to those in Abu Dhabi and that it would be exciting to experience a new venue.

 

“For us Dubai is the same as Abu Dhabi, it was an unknown surface for us going into that game. We are working hard as a team on becoming as versatile as possible and having an open mind to things that are thrown at us and being able to adapt on our feet.

 

“For us it is more of an excitement to come here and play. It is a new stadium and a new part of the world for us to play in and hopefully we can go out and play well tomorrow. There are new people that have the opportunity to watch the Proteas and we want to play well.”

 

The South African captain also said he felt for Pakistan cricket fans who have been deprived of watching action on their grounds because of security fears.

“Obviously, I feel for people in Pakistan who are fanatical about the game of cricket and it’s sad that they are not being able to watch their team and foreign teams play on their home grounds,” Smith said.

Smith said he was happy that Pakistani fans were getting entertainment with the current series being played in the UAE.

“Of course, they are not getting to see their players on their grounds. I guess this is the nature of the world, but with cricket played here they (Pakistani fans) have been provided with some entertainment,” said Smith,

He also has good memories when South Africa's tours to Pakistan in 2003 and 2007.

 “I have good memories of touring Pakistan,” said Smith, who was captain on both the tours. “I remember that was the period when we had a good run of victories after winning Tests and one-day series in Pakistan.”