My Favourite Captain - Graeme Smith
Good Morning to all, First of all, I would like to thank you to @supunchandra for making a wonderful contest regarding cricket as this way at least we can connect to cricket and its greatest memory. This week another wonderful contest of Favourite captain which detail link is here to join - My Favourite Captain
There is no doubt that MS Dhoni is best in this category and already some users posted about it so I would like to go with Graeme Smith although my first choice was MS Dhoni. I thought to let go with other captains as there are others good captains too and also nice to participate with a different name which will more interesting in this contest.
Graeme Smith is the most successful captain for South Africa as his records are brilliant as captain. He was the youngest South African captain at age of just 22 after the controversial loss against Sri Lanka in the 2003 World Cup with South Africa out from World Cup at home where they look the strongest team to win that title. There was a big responsibility on him as made captain at a young age to that team who has many great players like Kallis, Gibbs, Ntini, Boje, etc.
First Series was played against Bangladesh as captain where he scored a double century in test matches which proved that his captaincy begins now to take the team to the top. Next was big series where they have to play against England in 2003 where Naser Hussian said what name is Graeme Smith as was taking him lightly but one very first test Graeme Smith showed what he was and the whole series it will be a nightmare for Naser Hussian for his statement as scored back to back a double century in first two test matches respectively 277 and 259 at Edgbaston and Lords. He scored 714 runs in that series where at lords it was the highest score by any foreign batsman.
When It was almost Impossible to beat Australia in Australia at that time South Africa achieved that milestone under Graeme Smith's captaincy 2008. Graeme Smith did the same thing in 2013 too against Australia in Australia. on that tour, South Africa also chased down the biggest Total of test matches of 418 runs where Smith also scored a century to build up an inning. South Africa has already done the same thing in 2006 under smith's captaincy for the highest run chase of 434 in ODI too.
Under Graeme Smith Captaincy, South Africa stayed on rank 1 in test matches for a long time as well also achieved winning at home as well as overseas. We can say it was a golden era of South African cricket team which we cant see again as we can see how the South Africa team is struggling because they are not able to find a good captain like Graeme Smith
Records of Graeme Smith
Longest Serving Test Captain
Graeme Smith became Captain of South Africa after just 8 Test matches and will remain for the next 109 test matches which is the record for the most number of matches as captain also the only captain who played more than 100 test matches as a captain which is a tremendous achievement by him.
Best Batsman for runs chase in Test
Smith was dangerous mostly in the fourth Innings as he scored lots of runs in the 4th inning. In the fourth inning successful run chase, He made 1141 runs in 22 innings with an average of 87 and a strike rate of 69 which is the best of all. Hope everyone remembers that highest 4th inning chasing a total of 418 where Smith scored a century and also that match where South Africa was bowled out for 96, where in the same inning Australia bowled out for just 46, on that pitch also Smith Was unbeaten with a century.
Most Runs and Century as Captain
As he played maximum matches as captain as well as he also scored the most runs by any batsman as a captain which is 8659. He scored 25 century as a captain which is also a record by any batsman as a captain. He was one of the strong openers who likes to play leg side and such a strong player.
Highest Opening Partnership
Graeme Smith and Neil Mackenzie made a record of the Highest Opening partnership of 415 runs against Bangladesh in 2008 where the previous record named on Vinu Mankand and Pankaj Roy in Wayback 1950 against New Zeland which was 412 runs.
Most Win in test matches as Captain
So far no one still reached more than 53 Win in test matches as it's also recorded on his name as the most win as captain and its number is 53. He is able to do it because he had a very good team as well as he was the best Leader.
Gutsy Player
Graeme Smith always a positive and encouraging captain who always thinks for the team and tries his best to take victory to his team. We have seen one incident during the Australia tour at SCG in 2009, Smith was injured in the first inning and everyone thought he will not come to bat again but when the match went on last day, the last session where South Africa has to survive 8 overs and Styen out, Everyone thought match over but then they look smith is coming to bat which was very surprising to all as he bats with injured hand but unfortunately he was out of wonderful inswing of Johnson before 10 balls. South Africa lost that match but Smith Won everyone heart and gave everything for his team.
Achievement
- Graeme Smith is Wisdon cricket of the year 2004
- Graeme Smith Lead Somerset for his T20 Title in domestic cricket
- Graeme Smith Was also part of Rajasthan Royal Team in winning title 2008 IPL under the leadership of Shane Warne.
- Graeme Smith Beat Australia and England in their own Soil back-to-back series in test matches.
- Graeme Smith was a captain as well as leader of SA where Highest run chase happened which is still a record in ODI and Test.
- Smith achived a rare retiring of Three English Captain ( Hussain, Vaughen, Strauss) on his three succesive tour of England.
Low Point
There is no doubt that Graeme Smith is one of greatest as well as best South African captain but unfortunately not able to bring any big title of ICC events for his country as well as biggest tag of this team Chokers also not able to remove it.
Brave Decision
When he decided to retired at 33 years of age as he can play long but he also said that its time to retired from cricket and wanted to focus on his family and also said its time to give captaincy to new player to build new team but it was also shocking as he retired very early but South Africa is still struggling to find a captain like him as there were many captains come and gone but no one still takes place of him as what benchmark he set.
Graeme Smith Carrer Summary
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A champion of a player and one of the finest captains ever! Expecting a post about him. I remember his team went to Australia and beat Australia in test series. They were fascinating test matches we watched as kids. Thanks for bring him on the contest! ❤️
There are many memories and yes he was the best captain who likes challenges and maintain his captaincy till the end and he also captained for ICC world eleven teams to play a test against Australia so he as well as others also knows he is a strong leader.
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Best Regards!!!