29 December,2010 08:16 AM IST | | Sai Mohan
To state Graeme Smith is an influential player would be an understatement. In March 2004, he played an unbeaten knock of 125 to help South Africa chase down 234 against NZ in the fourth innings. In August 2008, he remained unbeaten on 154 to help his side overcome the English challenge at Birmingham. In December 2008, his knock of 108 steered SA to a world-record run-chase of 414. That knock by Smith meant Australia were beaten in a home series for the first time in 15 years. Smith has the appetite for the big occasion, the fourth innings. Just when it looked like the South African captain was preparing to play another gem, S Sreesanth's customary sledge got him to lose his concentration, and eventually led to his dismissal. Chasing 303, SA raced along to 63-0 in 12 overs until Smith was removed. After that, India clawed their way back, with the hosts (111-3), requiring a further 192 runs to complete the third highest-ever run-chase at Kingsmead. In 2002, SA chased down 340 on the final day against Australia.
VVS Laxman conceded that such incidents are bound to happen in a big Test: "I am not sure what exactly happened. You must understand that it is a series between two top teams. It's bound to happen when the intensity is high. Their bowlers came hard at us too."
Personal attack?
SA spinner Paul Harris revealed that what Sreesanth told Smith was personal: "Graeme rarely reacts to such things. He did react quite strongly. That means Sreesanth said a few personal things. That is not great for the game. We don't condone that. If he wants to do that, he can. However, the series so far has been played in good spirit.
"I've heard what he (Sreesanth) said was personal. You expect these things when the no 1 and no 2 teams play, but it shouldn't get personal," Harris added.u00a0u00a0
