E-Paper
Smith should be fit for second ODI
Graeme Smith decided against practising on Monday as he attempted to shake off an illness in time for the second ODI against New Zealand.
South Africa captain Graeme Smith decided against practising on Monday as he attempted to shake off an illness in time for the second one-day international against New Zealand on Tuesday.
Team coach Eric Simons described Smith as "a bit bunged up", saying he had suffered a cold over the last two days and the infection had gone to his chest.
"He's on antibiotics. He's feeling a little bit stronger and I'm sure he'll be fine for the match tomorrow," Simons told reporters.
Smith led South Africa to a five-wicket victory in the first game of the six-match series in Auckland on Friday.
Simons said New Zealand played much as his team had expected in Auckland where South Africa reached their 226-run target with two balls remaining.
"They (New Zealand) are a side that don't panic. They play clever cricket and they know how to go about their jobs," said Simons.
DIFFICULT WICKET
"The wicket was difficult for both sides to bat on but I think New Zealand posted a decent score in those conditions.
"Their depth of batting is a great asset and (captain) Stephen Fleming is very innovative in his thinking and very attacking. He doesn't allow you much freedom."
Simons said he was disappointed South Africa missed a number of possible run-outs.
"Run-outs are so important and we could have hit the wicket a few more times, which might have made a difference. We've done a bit of work on that today," he said.
"We also allowed ourselves to be put under pressure in the middle of the innings last time when we lost a couple of quick wickets. We had a buffer in our favour and we almost let that get away.
"We don't want to go into the last over when for a while we were doing it quite easily. It was pretty nerve-wracking on Friday."
Simons said if Smith was fit, South Africa would probably go into Tuesday's match with the same 11 who have played the last six one-dayers.
New Zealand (from): Stephen Fleming (captain), Michael Papps, Hamish Marshall, Scott Styris, Craig McMillan, Chris Cairns, Jacob Oram, Brendon McCullum, Kyle Mills, Daniel Vettori, Daryl Tuffey, Michael Mason.
South Africa (from): Graeme Smith (captain), Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Boeta Dippenaar, Jacques Rudolph, Mark Boucher, Shaun Pollock, Lance Klusener, Robin Peterson, Makhaya Ntini, Andre Nel, Nicky Boje.
