CAPE TOWN: South African captain Graeme Smith said yesterday that his team would not rest on their laurels after securing an innings victory over New Zealand inside three days in the first Test at Newlands.
He said South Africa wanted to build on an unbeaten run in Test matches in 2012 which took them to the number one ranking in the world.
Asked if the manner of their innings and 27 runs win was an indication of a ruthless approach, Smith agreed.
He said: “It’s about winning. It’s what you are defined on in modern sport. If you play games like this and you are dominant and can take the game forward it’s very nice,” he added.
South Africa were made to work harder than in the first innings, when they shot New Zealand out for 45 before lunch on the first day.
With Dean Brownlie scoring 109, his maiden Test century, New Zealand defied South Africa’s powerful attack for most of the morning before succumbing to the second new ball. They were eventually bowled out for 275 shortly before tea.
Smith had high praise for his bowlers.
“We bowled superbly with the new ball in both innings. I thought we were excellent with the areas we hit and the intensity with which we started.”
Smith said he wanted the level of his team’s play against largely inexperienced opponents to continue in the second Test. “It’s one bad performance away from being very close,” he said.
“I’m very realistic. I saw Queens Park Rangers beating Chelsea the other day. That’s sport. You’ve got to keep yourself on your toes.
“They’ve got good players. They are obviously struggling now to find who fits where and who can slot in to certain roles. They are a growing team but it’s our job to keep them under pressure.” AFP
