Thrust with the responsibility of taking up the mantleof captaincy after South Africa's disastrous World Cup campaign, Graeme Smith isdetermined to play his part in the team's resurgence, saying he would bring backthe "hunger" to win.
Smith, the youngest to captain South Africa, wants hisboys to forget the bitter World Cup memories of an early exit and start lookingahead with fresh ideas.
"The World Cup is over and now we are lookingforward. Things have been hectic and we have been working hard on our game sincethe last month.
"There is no reason why we can't get back to ourwinning ways," Smith said in Dhaka ahead of the tri-series beginning today.
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The 22-year old Smith, who was not in the orignialWorld Cup squad but was inducted into the team after Jonty Rhodes pulled out dueto an injury, was a surprise selection to lead the team after the nationalselectors decided to sack Shaun Pollock.
But the elegant left-hander believes that he could playa vital role in rebuilding the team.
"Yes, I was not in World Cup squad, the selectorshad their views. But they have appointed me the captain and obviously believe inmy abilities.
"I am looking forward to the challenge of leadingthe side," a relaxed Smith said.Smith does not believe that the presence of Pollock in the team will be aproblem.
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"Shaun and I get along very well. I have noproblems with him at all. In fact, he thinks that I am the best guy to lead theside. So honestly I don't think handling him will be a problem," he said.
Smith's resolve to get the team back on track wasevident in the way he egged on his players at the first practice session theteam had at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.
The team went about the session under lightswith a new found enthusiasm and the young captain appeared to be in totalcontrol.
Describing the Indians as the in-form team in thetri-nation series, the South African skipper saidhis new look team was capable of giving the Indians a run for their money.
"The key is to adapt to the hot and humidconditions here. The faster we make the change, the better for us. We areworking very hard and it should be a very interesting competition."
The South Africans have not named a replacement forstar allrounder Jacques Kallis who pulled out of the team at the last minute toattend to his ailing father. But the team management expects the experiencedplayer to join the squad for the Test series against Bangladesh.
The South Africans, who arrived here after a long18-hour journey from Johannesburg, did not lose much time to have a feel of theconditions here.
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South Africa play their opening match against India on Sunday.
PTI
