Instead of attacking me. Please tell me what he has given to SA cricket. Give me some stats to back up your assertion. If you look at his record (captain and player) it's pretty average at best.
1) 27 centuries, none in a losing cause.
2) only player with 1000+ runs in successful 4th innings run chases.
3) Most wins by a captain.
4) Lead his country for 100 tests.
5) took over after a disappointing 2003 WC and at the age of 22 was expected to rebuild the team and indeed a nations confidence in its cricket team.
6) Most runs scored whilst captaining a team.
7) His critical role in our 438 chase
8) Achieved 2 series win in Australia. ( first time for SA)
9) first team to win a series in Australia since 91/92 ( can't remember exact date)
10) hasn't lost a test series in 5 years
11) hasn't lost a test series away from home since 2006.
None of this would have been achieved without Smith. Just think how many international captains Smith has seen come and go, then you will realise the toll it takes on players. Not everyone is cut out for captaincy, and 99% of people won't last 10 years in the job. This is especially true when you have the internal politics of CSA. Dealing with Quotas, transformation and an expectant public, isn't the easiest thing to do.
His role can't just be defined in numbers, the culture, the backroom, the winning mentality, the leader and the grooming of young players has come through from Smith and the structures that he was critical in setting up. He is integral in the way we have done things for a decade and he has given us many highlights.
In my mind, we would not be where we are without Smith and his influence over the past decade.
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