Smith's New Quest

In 2009 during South Africa’s final innings of an historic series, the Sydney crowd rose to the sight of South Africa’s captain, Graeme Smith walking in to bat. He strode to the crease in the highly unusual position of number 11.

He came down the stairs dressed in his teammates clothing having left his whites at the hotel. The series had already been won after South Africa trumped Australia by nine wickets in Melbourne but Smith was desperate to save the Test in order to return home with two nil scoreline.

He batted for an agonising 17 balls with a broken hand and injured elbow but despite his heroics South Africa’s story would be written minus one fairytale ending.

The act of bravery by South Africa’s opening batsman four years ago won the hearts of many Australians and despite being an unpopular captain he silenced even his most hardened South African critics.

Smith has never been unanimously liked in South Africa despite owning an  incredible reputation as a match winner.

Smith now returns to Australian shores with Michael Clarke leading the men in baggy greens.

Clarke has also faced his own critics and was not necessarily the most popular choice throughout Australia to take over from Ricky Ponting. Yet in contrast to Smith, he has won over most of his critics in a short space of time.

Clarke’s early record as captain is impressive, having won nine out of 15 matches including four Tests against India - and added to this, his batting average has improved markedly, thanks in the main to a stunning last Australian summer.  He followed an innings of 329 not out against India at the SCG with 210 in Adelaide.

Clarke also relishes performing in front of a home crowd, boasting at an imposing average of 58.

On the other hand, despite two memorable innings, Smith’s overall record in Australia isn’t much to write home about.

Smith is yet to come up against Clarke’s captaincy in Australia and considering both players approach leadership in different ways it should make this month’s clash one to watch.

Clarke played 68 Tests under the tutelage of Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh, during which time he thrived as a middle order batsman.

In contrast Smith was given the leadership reigns after playing just eight matches which makes it difficult to know how he would do without the captaincy tag.

The captaincy style of these two veterans of the game has few similarities.  Clarke is very hands on and likes to be involved at all times. He is often seen in consultation with his bowler and wicketkeeper. He also tends to be quite adventurous in his leadership and frequently uses unconventional field placings allied to the frequent use of nonspecialist bowlers.

Conversely, Smith has often been accused of being too one dimensional and has received criticism for lacking a plan B. In spite of this Smith has lead South Africa in 93 Tests and during his reign, he and the team have enjoyed some incredible successes, not least of which came in August when South Africa beat England to secure the number one ranking.

As captain Smith has toured Australia on two occasions. The first didn’t go well for him and his team. He was regularly criticised in the Australian press for his brazen attitude and for the Proteas lack of ability to back up their words with winning performances on the field.  

Nevertheless he came back three years later and South Africa ended Australia’s 16-year record of not having lost a series at home.

In both series his opposite number was Ricky Ponting, a very experienced captain who lead his team to 48 Test victories out of 77 matches.

This time around he faces a captain who possesses a great deal less leadership experience. Clarke did however manage to outsmart the Proteas in Johannesburg last year to secure a drawn series in spite of his team’s disastrous loss in Cape Town where it was dismissed for an embarrassing 47 in its second innings.  

The three-match series which will decide the number one ranking begins this Friday in Brisbane. The Proteas will need to buck recent history if they are to open the series with a victory. The Gabba has been a fortress for Australia with its last loss coming 24 years ago at the hands of the West Indies.

On the other hand if South Africa is successful in Brisbane it is hard to see them losing their number one ranking.