The end of Smith?

[swacker]

I strongly believe that Graeme Smith is perhaps annoyed of this international career. The injures he faced and a complete lack of form has determined in his career. When he scored runs, he went big, but injuries that Johnson started, look rather reckless. And even the injuries that occured at the IPL. I might be desperate but the dismissal the other day in the final one-day against Australia explained me a player who was in a distress course.

I think he has been out of form for the last 10 months. I'd suggest that he should be sent to play domestic cricket and not to be moved down the order. The dropping did great for Mark Boucher, who was sent to play domestic cricket. It'd be a good strong message to the senior players who I believe have become cozy with their places in the national side. He seemed to be wanting to smash his way out of the lack of form, he has suffered.

Perhaps the advantage is that he's no longer the skipper of one-day and t20 side. To be honest, I think he puts the national side under contant pressure in losing his wicket.

 

[Rohit Doshi]

He should face the Indian attack That will get him some runs Jokes apart!!

He should be in domestic playing domestic cricket. I would not say end but yes temporary end for sure

 

[puddleduck]

Not if Zaheer plays it won't. Khan had Smith firmly tucked away in his back pocket they last time they met.

 

[Cricketman]

Zaheer faces similar fitness issues, unfortunately.

 

[Robelinda]

Smith has little idea against ANY left arms pace bowlers, Bollinger has troubled him more than once, and not just in this series.

 

[Rohit Doshi]

South Africa have many replacement and Smith's absent would not hurt much tbh.

Rudolph could easily be one in all form of cricket.

 

[angryangy]

I wouldn't say this is his worst form.

 

[1iram1]

I remember the Smith of 2008. That was the real Smith. He should be sent back to domestic and I believe Rudolph (does he open?), Imraan Khan, or Prince may be the way to go.

 

[swacker]

I wouldn't say this is his worst form.

He has been worthless in terms of contribution - He had scored less than 500 runs in fifteen matches with an average of 27.9

And, he will be gutted when he sees his result.

 

[angryangy]

Yeah but I remember the VB series in 2006. At the moment he looks like Tendulkar compared to that.

 

[MUFC1987]

He'll be fine once he gets back in Test cricket. ODIs and T20s never seem the best place to try to find some form.

 

[sami ullah khan]

Don't write him off just as yet. He is one the grittiest cricketers I have seen. I am sure he will bounce back. Its not like he is 35 or something.

 

[aayush93]

Well he is getting chances because he has scored lots of runs when he was in form.
SA have 5 Tests Matches in next few months at home, so this matches will decide the smith fate.

I think he can play few more year..

 

[sifter132]

Totally agree that he should be sent back to domestic - even lower than that maybe. The guy just needs a couple of hundreds and some self belief again. It's my belief that ALL out of form cricketers should go back to domestic cricket - even if you are Sachin

And yeah, like some have pointed out Smith seems to really have some very bad patches of form. Seems a bit Alastair Cook-y, they look almost undismissable when in form - but look awful when not in form.

 

[Valaskjalf]

Totally agree that he should be sent back to domestic - even lower than that maybe. The guy just needs a couple of hundreds and some self belief again. It's my belief that ALL out of form cricketers should go back to domestic cricket - even if you are Sachin

And yeah, like some have pointed out Smith seems to really have some very bad patches of form. Seems a bit Alastair Cook-y, they look almost undismissable when in form - but look awful when not in form.

I agree, but as a South African I dont see that happening because theres way too much politics going on in the top cirlces of SA cricket, and im not even talking about management. Smith wont be dropped to give another player a change, hes got too much say and authority in the side - Boucher, Kallis, Smith and AB unfortunately form the "jock" sections of the team and they pretty much rule at the top.

Smith will only miss a test to injury or by his own admission to go and play domestic cricket. Thats the harsh reality Im afraid. Pity though, he can be so good but it seems as though he's become worse over the years or "un-learned" much of his game.