Change Of Coach Will Not Make Any Difference: Smith

Graeme Smith, captain of South African team touring India, said that the change of the coach would not make any difference on the performance of the team The Proteas, who were last week rocked by their coach Mickey Arthur’s resignation just days before they left for the two-match Test series and three-match One-day International rubber against India, will now be led by caretaker boss Corrie van Zyl. “As far as having a new coach in Corrie is concerned, we have worked together before,” said Smith. “The players are all going about their work as normal to make sure we are all prepared as best as we can be come Saturday.”

The clash at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground will be preceded by a two-day practice match against the BCCI President’s XI starting on Tuesday.

The left-handed opener also emphasised that the Proteas are not focused on reclaiming the number one spot in the five-day ICC rankings from their hosts.

He continued: “The number one ranking is not really an issue for us. India have been playing good cricket, that is why they are ranked number one.

“We will concentrate on our own game. We know that if we perform to our levels and our standards we can put India under a lot of pressure. Any time you come to India it is always very tough, so we probably start as underdogs.

“I would say India are favourites, so from our perspective we know we have got to play good cricket but we are confident of our own ability.”

l