Smith defiant

Graeme Smith, the losing South African captain, is plotting revenge on the Australians on their return to South Africa in March after his team capitulated against Ricky Ponting’s side in the recent three test series.

“When we get back home in front of our supporters, we’re going to play for a win,” Smith said. “We’re going to back ourselves, we’re going to be confident, we’re going to stand up and we’re not going to back down. Certainly, when Australia come to South Africa it’s going to be one of their toughest times ever.”

Smith believed that his team let themselves down by missing countless opportunities at critical moments in the game, which ultimately lost them the series.

However Smith did say that there were many positives to take from the series, including Jacques Rudolph’s batting to save the first test in Perth and scoring 451 for 9 in the Sydney test.

The team backed Smith in his declaration decision. “Everyone in the whole team wanted to be positive this morning and go for a win,” said Smith.