Smith says ICC award nomination snub will motivate SA in CT

South African skipper Graeme Smith says his team would look to get over the disappointment of being ignored for the ICC annual awards nominations by lifting the Champions Trophy starting September 22 in Johannesburg.

South African skipper Graeme Smith says his team would look to get over the disappointment of being ignored for the ICC annual awards nominations by lifting the Champions Trophy starting September 22 in Johannesburg.

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Though disappointed that none of his teammates were considered worthy of individual nominations, Smith said the Proteas strive for collective recognition.

"It is not individual recognition that drives us. We are driven by what we want to achieve as a team and have had an amazing couple of years," Smith said in a pre-event press conference in Potchefstroom.

"It is a little disappointing that not a single South African made the shortlist in any category because we are the number one team in both Test and ODI cricket," he added.

Smith said being left out of the nominations list would motivate the team to do better.

"That shows the strength of the team and perhaps the lack of ICC award nominations could be a motivating factor," Smith said.