Graeme Smith, the former South Africa captain, may be planning what would be a sensational return to competitive – maybe international– cricket in the near future.
Smith retired from the international arena in March 2014, catching much of the cricket world by surprise. He had been 33 only a month when he played his last Test, against Australia.
Though he played on for Surrey in county cricket later that summer, his commitments were cut short by a knee fracture; after the subsequent surgery he ended a three-year contract with the county (that would have seen him play this summer as well).
On Monday he was in Dubai for the Masters Champions League (MCL) auction – he is a designated Legend player for the Virgo Super Kings franchise. In talking to The National during a break in proceedings, he suggested that the MCL may be a pathway to a full, competitive return.
“For me, I’m at the cusp of whether I should play international cricket again or not,” he said. “I’m 34 now, [I] retired at 33, there’s always that question mark of whether I can play for another 3-4 years. I know I can. But, it’s just about ... I’m at the cusp. I’m looking forward to the MCL and take it from there.”
Shortly thereafter, he spoke to ARY TV at the same event and expanded on his plans a little more, suggesting that South Africa’s troubles in India had contributed to his thinking.
“Who knows the MCL could be a platform back into the international game?” he said. “I get asked this question a lot. It does spend time in your head, especially when you see the boys struggling in India you think you can contribute, but we’ll see. I’ll go back train, prepare and get ready for the MCL.”
Part of his training programme now will involve working in the nets with the South African team, as they prepare to host England. It is difficult to see that interaction with old teammates not having influence on any final decision.
Speculation of a possible return has floated through cricket, though never substantiated. In February this year, it emerged that Smith might return to play for a domestic side, the Titans, but the franchise denied it.
READ MORE
Jacques Kallis, Adam Gilchrist top auction as legends see MCL ‘taking off’ in a big way
Osman Samiuddin talks with Shoaib Akhtar about whether Mohammad Amir deserves another shot
The development is likely to stir things up in South Africa, especially in the aftermath of a 3-0 series defeat in India and with a big England series imminent. Smith made his intentions known, in fact, on the final day of the series, as India inflicted a 337-run shellacking on the tourists – the biggest win, in runs, in India’s history.
That ended a proud record to which Smith was a monumental contributor; under his captaincy, South Africa had been undefeated in a series away from home since a loss to Sri Lanka in August 2006.
It was also one of South Africa’s heaviest series defeats since readmission in 1992, and only the second time since 2006 that they lost three Tests in a series.
Smith spoke expansively about the loss, suggesting that the surfaces had gotten into South Africa’s minds.
“I think we just got a little bit in our own way in this series,” he said. “When you play on tough wickets, whether it’s green, seamy wickets or spinning wickets, margins become very small and we lost out on those margins always early on in the Tests and were always playing catch-up. It looked like we just got in our own head a little bit in terms of the wickets. Yes they were tough, both teams had to play on the same surface.
“It’s put us under a little bit of pressure for the end of the year. England’s a big tour back in South Africa, four Tests, so the guys need to go back home. They’ve been in India for a very long time, they need to have a bit of fun for a week, see their families, relax, catch their breath, because four Tests against England will be very exciting now.”
The series was an especially poor one for the incumbent captain Hashim Amla. As well as the defeats, Amla’s personal performances were poor: he averaged under 17 in the four Tests, with a highest of 43.
Smith called for more time for Amla. “Look I’ve got a huge amount of respect for Hashim Amla. He’s had a tough run, we’ve all had those tough runs. He’s a man of immense character and well-respected in the environment.
“He needs time, it’s his first challenge as a captain now and how he bounces back from this will speak volumes for him and the team. I think we need to always give him that opportunity now to bounce back and how he brings the guys through. This England tour now becomes an important challenge for him as a leader.”
Smith’s plans also, unintentionally, throw a spotlight on the MCL’s policy of recruiting players. If he does end up returning, Smith, ironically, will no longer be eligible for the league: one of the conditions of the league is that the player is retired from international cricket (though he can be playing domestic cricket).
On Monday, franchises bought players such as the West Indian Krishmar Santokie, who is 30, and South African Richard Levi, who is just 27 – neither is officially retired from international cricket and Santokie played a Twenty20 international as recently as August 2014.
Others, such as the Pakistani allrounders Abdul Razzaq and Azhar Mahmood are also not officially retired from international cricket.
osamiuddin@thenational.ae
Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE
