Smith may have turned the corner

The sense of joy was evident on the faces of Graeme Smith’s Proteas teammates as they rose to their feet in the Wanderers change room viewing area and applauded his ninth one-day international hundred.

I would, however, image that it would have been more a feeling of relief for the selectors as the former South Africa captain nudged the ball into the leg side to bring up the hugely important milestone.

Relief not because they would have dropped him if he had failed, but more because it had been so long and the pressure on the man seemed evident on his face each time that he walked out to the middle to bat. There is no doubt in my mind that the two most important people involved in backing the left-handed opening batsman are the coach, Gary Kirsten, and the captain AB de Villiers. Their reasoning would be quite simple really -- experience.

Smith is only 30 years old and it wouldn't be wrong to suggest that he ought to be at the peak of his powers when it comes to batting as he has acquired a lot of experience over nearly ten years of international cricket. This experience is valuable to any team and cannot easily be acquired by anyone. It takes time but, first of all, one has to be good enough and consistent enough to warrant selectors and team management having faith in you.

The debate almost always is; how long does a player have before it is deemed that he has had a fair chance? The time period with each individual will certainly be different, subjective and based on the perceived importance of that player to the team when performing well by those who have to make that tough decision.

Criticism from those on the outside generally does not cease and in the case of Smith, right from the incredibly bright start of his career on the field, he has had a rather fractious relationship with the South African cricket fans.

His utterances and events off the field, I feel, should not cloud the thoughts of those who make assessments of the man’s efforts and contributions on it. I really believe that the Smith is, and has been, a colossus for the Proteas in both forms of the game -- thus I understand why convenor of selectors Andrew Hudson and coach Kirsten have decided to ‘stick with him’. In the same position, many other players would simply not have been able to hang on and wait for the form wheel to turn.

The most peculiar thing for me in all of this is how well Smith continues to bat and churn out runs in the test match version of the game. However, alongside the series of test hundreds and half centuries in the last couple of years are low scores in limited overs games. While the contrast in the formats is there, the usual scenario is that form from either one is taken across as is the case with the other stalwart Proteas players such as Jacques Kallis, Hashim Amla and De Villiers.

The hope will be that Smith has finally turned the corner and come out of a rather long rut. Two scores in a row would suggest so, but one thing is for sure -- while the slate may be wiped clean from here on, if he hits another lengthy slump he will not be backed for such an extended period again.

Long may the form stay and may it produce more limited-overs centuries.