10 March,2014 09:00 AM IST | | AFP
South Africa captain Graeme Smith, who last week announced his retirement from international cricket, was greatly influenced by his family in taking the decision
Graeme Smith with Cadence while wife Morgan holds Carter
Johannesburg: South Africa captain Graeme Smith, who last week announced his retirement from international cricket, was influenced by his family in taking the decision.
Graeme Smith with Cadence while wife Morgan holds Carter
Smith, 33, told the Sunday Times newspaper that he knew he had made the right decision while at the hospital bedside of his 18-month-old daughter (Cadence), who had suffered burns from hot water. He says the toddler reached out to him and touched his Proteas badge. "That's all she's known of me really."
"She sees me on the TV and that was a moment where I realised I'm pretty happy with the decision I've made. I'll have more time to see my children grow and I'll be mentally more there."
He captained the Proteas for 12 years since the age of 22.
"As a captain, even when you are at home, your brain is still elsewhere a lot of the time," he said. The batsman, who married Irish pop singer Morgan Deane in 2011 said his wife has carried the load of raising their two young children while he played cricket. "I think of her with the two kids travelling to wherever I am in the world, and making it work. She is a strong woman."
