One must take into consideration that Smith has to work around the auspices of the UCB in enforcing a transformation criteria.
Gotta take umbrage there, Smith has very rarely had to deal with anything approaching the guff Pollock (or a Springbok captain, if we're gonna cross sports) had to deal with in this regard. There was that Rudolf thing a long time ago and every now and then there's a bit of a fuss, but by in large, the Proteas team has been merit based for a while. Can't call guys like JP, Makhaya, Aviro, Hash or Prince (even though I'm not his biggest fan) quota players by any means.
Even RobbieP justified his place at the last World Cup, Parnell's got/had (depending on the day of the week) plenty of potential, Lopsy & Big Verne made most people (me included) eat their hats with a generous helping of Tartar sauce. The only huh? for me is Ontong and even he can point to some good 1st class form in the last couple of years.
If Smith's batting consistency had been better in the last couple of years, we be crowing Captain, my Captain from the rafters, but he's been poor for 3-4 games, then great for 1-2, then ok, then poor, then great, etc. I really hope he brings it together and pummels the Black Caps, I want an in-form & ready to crack some Pommie/ex-saffer skulls going to England.
