Smith may not tour Bangladesh.

[Murad]

Smith may not tour here
Daily Star

If there was one thing that South Africa captain Graeme Smith would like to change about modern day cricket, it would be scheduling. So much so, he's ready to sit out the upcoming tour of Bangladesh in February-March.

"The biggest issue for us at the moment is definitely the schedule and trying to manage it," Smith was quoted as saying in an interview to Independent Online, a South African website.

"We are facing the prospect of three months on the subcontinent in a couple of months' time, which could be interesting."

South Africa won their recent home series against both New Zealand and South Africa and now come to Bangladesh to play two Tests and three one-day internationals from February 22. In March, they play three Test matches in India.

But Smith believes resting the likes of Jacques Kallis, Mark Boucher and himself would benefit the team in the long run.

"I would like to be rested for that (Bangladesh) tour! It's a tough one, but I think we should definitely consider resting players, particularly for the three one-dayers after the two Tests," said Smith.

"The wickets will spin square, they are going to make life as difficult as possible for us, and rightly so! It'll be a wonderful opportunity for some of the upcoming players to learn. It is being discussed now.

"I can't see that guys like Jacques (Kallis) and Mark (Boucher) will benefit from playing those games, but other players certainly could benefit. If we want players like Jacques to be around for the next World Cup, then we need to start managing them."

On a lighter note, Smith claimed that it is hard to date when one is a globetrotting cricketer.

"It is kind of hard to go on one date, have a nice dinner and then say: 'That was nice - what are you doing in six weeks' time? I'm going to Chittagong.'"

"I met someone recently who was great fun. Maybe I'll get the chance to catch up with her again in 2009!"

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I say its good for us if these three don't play in the ODI matches. We could win the ODI series for sure.

[Nafi]

Guess he is that scared that his average will drop so sharply muahahaha

[Pundit]

Has he not heard - Rassel is still recuperating. Oh - maybe he did get the update that he is playing in one of the BCB trial teams.

[Rabz]

Ah..looks like she set a deadline.
Either take me out to dinner OR go to Bangladesh.
He can pick only one.

[LateCut]

Come on Smith! Find a Chatgaya maya! That will solve your problem.

We should post some pictures for his beneifit. Or perhaps hire a ghatak.

[Tigers_eye]

Good news one after another. First no Pollock for test then Smith pushing for the oldies to sit out. I am loving it. SBNS may rewrite history.

[Murad]

Originally Posted by LateCut
Come on Smith! Find a Chatgaya maya! That will solve your problem.

We should post some pictures for his beneifit. Or perhaps hire a ghatak.

lolzz
It will be better if he doesnt find a chatgaya maiya.. We don't want to see him playing.

[Murad]

Originally Posted by Tigers_eye
Good news one after another. First no Pollock for test then Smith pushing for the oldies to sit out. I am loving it. SBNS may rewrite history.

I hope you are right, Mijan bhai. We need to win some ODIs.

Pollok was the main guy in the ODI team. Without him they will struggle, no doubts about it. He was also the guy who can play spin well along with Boucher and Kallis.

I really really hope they will be rested.

[Beamer]

Graeme Smith does and tends to give his wkt away in Bangladeshi style, more so, against bowlers of not highest quality. It is Kallis that I fear most. He will feast on dead pitches. Anyway we can keep Kallis from not showing up and send Smith instead? Their captain, however, will be a great challenge for the one dayers..

[akabir77]

Actually newer players will be bad for BD. cause we won't have any stats on the newer player and our bowlers r not that bright to figure it out in 2/3 overs. that's why you see the new opener against bd always scores 100... I hope he, kallis and all the others comes...

[nasimul]

Originally Posted by akabir77
Actually newer players will be bad for BD. cause we won't have any stats on the newer player and our bowlers r not that bright to figure it out in 2/3 overs. that's why you see the new opener against bd always scores 100... I hope he, kallis and all the others comes...

agreed with u

[Moshin]

Yes , no Pollock plus Graeme Smith out of the team that's a sign of relief for us aint it, we definetly might have a chance in against the Afrikaans, but Amla & Kallis look fired up for a wack off the bat, Rafique will see us through!

[al Furqaan]

i hope the full strenght side shows up for tests, they will to prep for the indians.

ODIs i'm less worried. we've already beaten their top side and a SA A team will mean we have a chance to win the series 2-1.

we need to win the series 2-1 if they rest some players.

[Xavier]

Any chance of Dale Steyn getting a flu before leaving for Bangladesh?

[Fazal]

Originally Posted by Xavier
Any chance of Dale Steyn getting a flu before leaving for Bangladesh?

Don;t worry, he will get it after he arrive Bangladesh.

[cricman]

I actually read the real article, i thought he was being sarcastic ... he said it's gonna be a tough tour, I think the DS trying to make a story outta nothing

EDIT: DS actually quoted the entire thing minus the 1 laughter on the youngsters being clueless vs spin but SA are actually thinking about resting Kallis, Boucher and Smith, but Smith is young he should tour. At least were facing stern on our dead pitches.

[mshakir56]

I dont think sa board will be brave enough to drop their top three bat.

[One World]

Saw it in cricinfo, his quote about CTG came top at CI list single and denying his first love, yes I smell fear of heart-breaking.

[Bengali Bum]

Our batsmen better prepare well for Steyn.
That guy is a monster.
Hopefully we kick their arse.

[mshakir56]

We should pray that Ashraful has his eid day during this tour !

[kalpurush]

Originally Posted by mshakir56
We should pray that Ashraful has his eid day during this tour !

there are some posibilities....get the budget ready!

[Rabz]

I thought Smith had a girlfirend, Minki Van der Westhuizen.
What happend to her?

[tiger_army]

Originally Posted by Rabz
I thought Smith had a girlfirend, Minki Van der Westhuizen.
What happend to her?

hmm she is very hot... no wonder he wants to stay back in SA.... i think the date story he said was bull ****.. he just want to stay with her.....well Now Girls gona distroy cricket very soon just like other things.

[Tintin]

They broke off the relationship one or two years back.

[cricket_king]

Thaak...na khalai bhalo. Less chance of embarrassment.