SA riding on grit, determination: Smith

Touring captain rues injuries but looking forward to Perth.

MELBOURNE: South Africa head into the third and final Test against Australia believing that if all else fails, their deep reservoir of grit and determination can still be counted on to confront the most daunting of challenges.

The series remains locked at 0-0 after Brisbane and Adelaide, and South Africa’s status as the top-ranked Test side will be re-examined in Perth when the final match begins on Friday.

Proteas’ skipper paid credit to the resilience of his
players, who remain unbeaten on tour since February 2010.

“It’s really a strengthening point for us considering we haven’t played very well,” said Graeme Smith.

“We had another couple of big injuries in this match that created a little bit of hassle for us and we still managed to scrape through after not being in great positions. We haven’t been at our best but we still haven’t been beaten, and that’s a very rewarding feeling for us.”

Ponting has selectors’ backing: coach

Meanwhile, Australia coach Mickey Arthur has said that Ricky Ponting has the unanimous backing of selectors and will play in the series decider.



The former Australia skipper, who turns 38 next month, has failed in three innings against the Proteas during draws in Brisbane and Adelaide and pressure is building on the 167-Test veteran.

“We unanimously back Ricky to get us some runs,” said Arthur. “Ricky has prepared brilliantly, he’s really given us everything we could probably have asked. He’ll leave no stone unturned in his preparation for Perth and I’m backing him for a big score in Perth, no doubt about that. Inside the dressing room and privately we’ve all backed him. We want Ponting to go to the Ashes, there’s no doubt about that.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 28^th, 2012.