The Graeme Smith Appreciation Thread (From an England Fan)

Fred Jr · 09-09-2003, 05:19 AM

Thought I'd start this thread to praise Graeme Smith on what an exemplary display of not only leadership, but sportsmanship and determination he has displayed this summer. In the programme I received when I went to day 1 of the Oval Test, it had a picture of something called "Smith's secret fridge notes" which is a sheet of paper he stuck on his fridge when he was 19 that someone managed to get hold of, showing all his short, medium and long term goals in his career and his life - there were about 15-20 things on the list, and he has already accomplished every single one of them, the last of which was captaining South Africa. That man is more driven to succeed than anyone I have ever seen. Not only that, but he would not appear to have let his determination to succeed affect his character one bit. He has led his team brilliantly this summer, and has dealt well with the fact that they did not enjoy the success they deserved for some excellent performances. They would have won at Edgbaston if not for the rain, and could quite conceivably have passed 700 in their first innings (if not for day 2's abandonment) - thanks largely to Smith's incredible 277. They crushed England at Lord's and Headingley, and did not disgrace themselves in the matches they did lose, despite the loss of several key players at various points over the summer. Over the course of this summer he has been inundated with media interference, along with rumours of a split in the camp after the ODIs, and his handling of the media has been akin to that of a man who has been captain for 6 years, never mind 6 months. There is a certain Steve Waugh-like intensity to the way he does everything - the way he encourages his players in the field, the way he bats, the way he is relentless in his pursuit of victory, the way he talks passionately to the media about his captaincy and how much it means to him - all the actions of a man who is 300% confident in his own ability to lead his side to victory. I have been fortunate enough to meet the man twice this summer, after the tour match at Taunton where he scored 152, and after day 1 at the Oval. On both occasions he has been friendly, courteous, and more than willing to sign autographs and socialise with the public - even encouraging his less accommodating team-mates (cough....Charl Willoughby...cough cough) to do so. And the guard of honour his team formed for Alec Stewart was one of the greatest displays of respect and gratitude towards a fellow sportsman and for his achievements I have seen. I am only 16, and therefore look forward to growing up with the career of a man who is just about the ideal role model for young cricketers worldwide unfolding before my eyes. Thank you South Africa for providing World Cricket with a future giant of the game, and thank you Graeme Smith for providing English supporters with a wonderful summer of Test cricket. OK, this post has gone on far too long - I'll shut up now.

Rik · 09-09-2003, 05:21 AM

Yeah he put England's other 2 Captains in this series (Hussain and Vaughan) into the shade. Also it was nice to see him joking with Vaughan at the end of the 5th Test.

Mr Mxyzptlk · 09-09-2003, 05:23 AM

As I've said before, it's all well and good the runs that he scored in the 1st and 2nd Test, but where did he go from there? It's sort of like Daren Ganga v Australia earlier this year. Needless to say, he's more than likely disappointed.

marc71178 · 09-09-2003, 10:39 AM

Pure and Simple Liam, England worked out how to bowl to him.

Remember his 2nd 200 should've been 8, and after that he fell away somewhat alarmingly.

Much kudos to Smith however (along with Vaughan and Hussain) for helping to make the series one of the most keenly contested, yet friendly series in a long time.

Langeveldt · 09-09-2003, 01:09 PM

Well im somewhat down at South Africas latest performance, but time is a great healer and im sure i will look back on this series as one of the best ive seen... So credit to Smith for being a great ambassador for SA cricket, and the game in general.. And also to two teams who refused to be seperated...

roofromoz · 19-09-2003, 05:34 AM

I was reading an article yesterday in Inside Sport (Australian sporting magazine) about what is wrong with sport in South Africa, particularly with its cricket. It focused on its "arrogance and mediocrity", and then went on to say that someone like Graeme Smith has the potential to change that because of his hard nosed approach and "never satisfied" mantra. I heard enough down here about his performances in England recently, and he is very much like Steve Waugh - likes to lead from the front by setting the example and getting the best out of his players.

As long as players like Smith are playing for South Africa, I reckon that they could finally be on the same level as Australia, and matches against the two countries will be the showdowns that they have been threatening to be for years.

Cricket in South Africa can only go forward with Smith.

Neil Pickup · 19-09-2003, 08:52 AM

Darryl "bowled Warne 0" Cullinan has shot his mouth off about Smith, saying he talks too much and delivers too little.

Darryl, did mummy ever tell you the one about Pots and Kettles?

Langeveldt · 19-09-2003, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Neil Pickup
Darryl "bowled Warne 0" Cullinan has shot his mouth off about Smith, saying he talks too much and delivers too little.

Darryl, did mummy ever tell you the one about Pots and Kettles?

Darryl has always been a class act (cept when he was "mentally disintegrated" by australia) but its plain to see that he was wrong about smith...

Langeveldt · 19-09-2003, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by roofromoz
I was reading an article yesterday in Inside Sport (Australian sporting magazine) about what is wrong with sport in South Africa, particularly with its cricket. It focused on its "arrogance and mediocrity",

I disagree, but I wouldnt expect anything else from the Australian media anyway...

gibbsnsmith · 19-09-2003, 10:49 AM

There really is not much need for me to say anything about Smith as i doubt theres anyone on the forums who disagrees the due credit he deserves.

Ever since he burst into the scene, i have been impressed with him, admittedly i didnt understand why a more or less unknown player had come kin to open for someone like Gary Kirsten but he has justified his selection a huge amount...

roofromoz · 20-09-2003, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Langeveldt
I disagree, but I wouldnt expect anything else from the Australian media anyway...

I am pretty sure that the article was written by a South African. Could be wrong... it stated "South African correspodent" in the intro...

Mr Mxyzptlk · 21-09-2003, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by roofromoz
I am pretty sure that the article was written by a South African. Could be wrong... it stated "South African correspodent" in the intro...

...which would tend to be someone stationed in South Africa, not necessarily a South African.

Craig · 21-09-2003, 04:32 AM

So are we going to have a fan club called the GCAS (Greame Smith Appreciation Society)?

I would sign up, but does that make it a conflict of interest being in the AAS?

marc71178 · 21-09-2003, 04:57 AM

But on what grounds would the GSAS be born - the AAAS came out of a lot of talk from many people on here, and is slightly ironic.

What exactly has Smith done to gain the same respect?

gibbsnsmith · 21-09-2003, 05:22 AM

lol

what exactly has he done not to receive respect

09-09-2003, 05:19 AM	#1 (permalink)
Fred Jr Cricket Spectator Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: UK Posts: 17	The Graeme Smith Appreciation Thread (From an England Fan) Thought I'd start this thread to praise Graeme Smith on what an exemplary display of not only leadership, but sportsmanship and determination he has displayed this summer. In the programme I received when I went to day 1 of the Oval Test, it had a picture of something called "Smith's secret fridge notes" which is a sheet of paper he stuck on his fridge when he was 19 that someone managed to get hold of, showing all his short, medium and long term goals in his career and his life - there were about 15-20 things on the list, and he has already accomplished every single one of them, the last of which was captaining South Africa. That man is more driven to succeed than anyone I have ever seen. Not only that, but he would not appear to have let his determination to succeed affect his character one bit. He has led his team brilliantly this summer, and has dealt well with the fact that they did not enjoy the success they deserved for some excellent performances. They would have won at Edgbaston if not for the rain, and could quite conceivably have passed 700 in their first innings (if not for day 2's abandonment) - thanks largely to Smith's incredible 277. They crushed England at Lord's and Headingley, and did not disgrace themselves in the matches they did lose, despite the loss of several key players at various points over the summer. Over the course of this summer he has been inundated with media interference, along with rumours of a split in the camp after the ODIs, and his handling of the media has been akin to that of a man who has been captain for 6 years, never mind 6 months. There is a certain Steve Waugh-like intensity to the way he does everything - the way he encourages his players in the field, the way he bats, the way he is relentless in his pursuit of victory, the way he talks passionately to the media about his captaincy and how much it means to him - all the actions of a man who is 300% confident in his own ability to lead his side to victory. I have been fortunate enough to meet the man twice this summer, after the tour match at Taunton where he scored 152, and after day 1 at the Oval. On both occasions he has been friendly, courteous, and more than willing to sign autographs and socialise with the public - even encouraging his less accommodating team-mates (cough....Charl Willoughby...cough cough) to do so. And the guard of honour his team formed for Alec Stewart was one of the greatest displays of respect and gratitude towards a fellow sportsman and for his achievements I have seen. I am only 16, and therefore look forward to growing up with the career of a man who is just about the ideal role model for young cricketers worldwide unfolding before my eyes. Thank you South Africa for providing World Cricket with a future giant of the game, and thank you Graeme Smith for providing English supporters with a wonderful summer of Test cricket. OK, this post has gone on far too long - I'll shut up now. __________________ England WC 2007 TrescothickVaughanFlintoffShafayatTroughtonClarkeR eadBattyAliBresnanAnderson Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid

09-09-2003, 05:21 AM	#2 (permalink)
Rik Cricketer Of The Year Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Shropshire, England Posts: 8,353	Yeah he put England's other 2 Captains in this series (Hussain and Vaughan) into the shade. Also it was nice to see him joking with Vaughan at the end of the 5th Test. __________________ "Age is just a stupid number" 20...that's a rather big number :(:(:(

09-09-2003, 05:23 AM	#3 (permalink)
Mr Mxyzptlk Request Your Custom Title Now! Join Date: May 2002 Location: Trinidad and Tobago (Trinidad) Posts: 36,795	As I've said before, it's all well and good the runs that he scored in the 1st and 2nd Test, but where did he go from there? It's sort of like Daren Ganga v Australia earlier this year. Needless to say, he's more than likely disappointed. __________________ Sreesanth said, "Next ball he was beaten and I said, 'is this the King Charles Lara? Who is this impostor, moving around nervously? I should have kept my mouth shut for the next ball - mind you, it was a length ball - Lara just pulled it over the church beyond the boundary! He is a true legend." The Blog The Portfolio The...er...Twitter

09-09-2003, 10:39 AM	#4 (permalink)
marc71178 Eyes not spreadsheets Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: England Posts: 56,346	Pure and Simple Liam, England worked out how to bowl to him. Remember his 2nd 200 should've been 8, and after that he fell away somewhat alarmingly. Much kudos to Smith however (along with Vaughan and Hussain) for helping to make the series one of the most keenly contested, yet friendly series in a long time. __________________ marc71178 - President and founding member of AAAS - we don't only appreciate when he does well, but also when he's not quite so good! Anyone want to join the Society? Beware the evils of Kit-Kats - they're immoral apparently.

19-09-2003, 05:34 AM	#6 (permalink)
roofromoz School Boy/Girl Cricketer Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Western Sydney Posts: 65	I was reading an article yesterday in Inside Sport (Australian sporting magazine) about what is wrong with sport in South Africa, particularly with its cricket. It focused on its "arrogance and mediocrity", and then went on to say that someone like Graeme Smith has the potential to change that because of his hard nosed approach and "never satisfied" mantra. I heard enough down here about his performances in England recently, and he is very much like Steve Waugh - likes to lead from the front by setting the example and getting the best out of his players. As long as players like Smith are playing for South Africa, I reckon that they could finally be on the same level as Australia, and matches against the two countries will be the showdowns that they have been threatening to be for years. Cricket in South Africa can only go forward with Smith. __________________ TRUE TO THE BLUES Defending ING and Pura Cup champions

19-09-2003, 08:52 AM	#7 (permalink)
Neil Pickup Cricket Web Staff Member / Global Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Oxford, England Posts: 26,361	Darryl "bowled Warne 0" Cullinan has shot his mouth off about Smith, saying he talks too much and delivers too little. Darryl, did mummy ever tell you the one about Pots and Kettles? __________________ MSN Messenger: minardineil2000 at hotmail dot com \| AAAS Chairman CricketWeb Black \| CricketWeb XI Captain ClarkeWatch: We're Watching Rikki - Are You? Up The Grecians - Exeter City FC Completing the Square: My Cricket Web Blog

19-09-2003, 10:49 AM	#10 (permalink)
gibbsnsmith State Vice-Captain Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: London/Kent Border Posts: 1,205	There really is not much need for me to say anything about Smith as i doubt theres anyone on the forums who disagrees the due credit he deserves. Ever since he burst into the scene, i have been impressed with him, admittedly i didnt understand why a more or less unknown player had come kin to open for someone like Gary Kirsten but he has justified his selection a huge amount... __________________ *The Memory You Deny*

21-09-2003, 04:57 AM	#14 (permalink)
marc71178 Eyes not spreadsheets Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: England Posts: 56,346	But on what grounds would the GSAS be born - the AAAS came out of a lot of talk from many people on here, and is slightly ironic. What exactly has Smith done to gain the same respect?

21-09-2003, 05:22 AM	#15 (permalink)
gibbsnsmith State Vice-Captain Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: London/Kent Border Posts: 1,205	lol what exactly has he done not to receive respect

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