Ashwell Prince-South Africa's first coloured captain

[icyman]

Graeme Smith has been ruled out of South Africa's tour of Sri Lanka meaning that Ashwell Prince will become the country's first coloured captain. Smith tore ligaments in his right ankle when he slipped while running on Saturday in Knysna.

After an X-ray and a scan as well as a consultation with the team physiotherapist Shane Jabaar, Smith was diagnosed with two torn ligaments. Jabaar said: "He will undergo a further stress X-ray later today with an ankle specialist to determine the full extent of his injury and the treatment required".

Haroon Lorgat, the convenor of selections, said Prince will lead South Africa in the two-Test series with the one-day squad and captain being named after the first Test and Lorgat admitted: "This is surely not an ideal way to start our season, but if we are to experience any misfortune during this year, I would rather have it now than later."

Jacques Rudolph, who had a successful tour of Sri Lanka with the A team last year and was surprisingly omitted from the original squad, has been named as the replacement for Smith. South Africa were already without Jacques Kallis for the tour after he underwent surgery on his tennis elbow problem.

? Cricinfo

:happy

Good for Prince.
Though i expected someone else to take over.But with Kallis out,it seems the most logical choice to give the captaincy in young hands.

 

[evertonfan]

Yeah good for Prince, although i'd have gone with a more experienced player like Pollock or possibly Gibbs if he plays.

 

[cricketmad09]

Why isnt/hasnt Pollock been captain?

 

[Ritwik]

Because he was laughably predictable. I remember during the 2003 world cup, the Australians had him figured out to the last degree and talked about stuff like Pollock always introducing himself to bowl in certain overs (1st, 18, 32 etc). He is not really a good captain, and the South African team was just drifting without a clue when he was leading it.

 

[Nightwatchman]

great news not only for cricket but for South Africa in general that they are to have a coloured captain. Although, i do hope for their sake, that the decision was made due to cricketing reasons, not ethical reasons....

 

[evertonfan]

I'd rather have Jaques Kallis as a captain, but if the South African selectors think that Prince is the right man then i'm not going to argue. I also hope that Prince is captain for cricketing reasons too.

 

[surendar]

Kallis wud have been a bettr and best choice!!! But its great chance for Prince as the skipper!!! Lets see how he is performing his skipper role!!!