Batsmen could have avoided glory shots: Smith
By IANSSunday, January 16, 2011
JOHANNESBURG - South Africa lost the second ODI against India from a dominating position and captain Graeme Smith blamed poor shot selection for letting the team down.
South Africa were coasting at 152 for five when Smith played on a Munaf Patel delivery. A collapse followed soon as the Proteas fell one run short of India’s total of 190.
“We were not smart enough, especially with the bat. We needed to be a bit more solid, instead of searching for those glory shots,” said Smith.
“I do not think it was a free flowing wicket, it was not easy to play your shots, you had to work hard out there. It required a solid performance.”
Smith rued the he got out at a wrong time.
“If I could have batted through, it would have been wonderful. I do not think I gave my wicket away though and we still should have got over the line.
The loss for the Proteas once again raise questions on their ability of pulling through close matches. Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni believes the chokers tag will always be associated with the South Africans.
“It is one thing that will always follow them whether the opposition says it or not, like India and our record in tri-series finals. It is something that will haunt them and you can’t really run away from it,” said Dhoni.
