New Zealand are street-smart: Graeme Smith

The first rule of cricket — in fact, any sport — is that you must respect your opponent. Graeme Smith adhered to that norm when he addressed the media at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Many expect Friday’s quarterfinal between South Africa and New Zealand to be a one-sided affair, but Smith was in no mood to write the Black Caps off. “New Zealand are street-smart, street-wise and we need to respect them,” he said, matter of factly.

Of late, Smith is posed with many a query about his side’s spinning prowess. And no, he doesn’t mind it one bit! Chris Gayle was probably stunned to see Johan Botha with the new ball when South Africa met the West Indies at the Feroz Shah Kotla in New Delhi exactly a month and a day ago. And before he could figure out how to play the off-spinner first up, the big man was back in the pavilion! That gamble was primarily responsible for the South African attack’s transformation from a pace-heavy to a more ‘balanced’ line-up at the World Cup.

Imran Tahir, Robin Peterson, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis and, of course, Botha can all pack a punch and Smith is delighted to have so many options. Left-arm spinner Peterson (14 wickets in six matches) and leggie Tahir (12 in four) came in for special praise. “Imran has been an asset,” Smith said, before lauding Peterson, “Robbie is someone who does well when he’s confident. We’ve backed him and he’s done well with both bat and ball.”

Smith conceded that New Zealand have quite a few power hitters and he’s found a way to stop them. When asked if he’d start with Botha — or another tweaker — up front, Smith replied, “We have seen quite a few of their videos and we’ve studied them. I have a plan.”

Meanwhile, Smith sought to downplay Allan Donald’s new role on the eve of the quarterfinal. “If we stressed over a South African in another team I don’t think we’d sleep much,” he said.

“Allan was a great performer for South Africa and we wish him all the best in his role as New Zealand bowling coach. I’m sure he believes he can add value to their environment, but our environment has changed a lot since.”