Life is coming full circle for Graeme Smith as the South African captain celebrates his thirtieth birthday ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.
graeme smith in helmet close up
Graeme Smith's journey as the South African captain, all of twenty-two years old, began when South Africa made an ignominious exit as hosts of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 as an erroneous Duckworth Lewis reading cost them the match against Sri Lanka. Now as South Africa enter yet another World Cup contest, all eyes are on Smith once more to change the piece of history they have not been proud of since their readmission in 1991.
Now Smith carries South Africa into the 2011 edition, knowing fully well that by his own devise, he will be the South African captain for the last time in one day internationals and that South Africa have yet to break their jinx at the ICC Cricket World Cup. South Africa had a good run in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 in the Caribbean before disastrous batting by the top order undid them in the semi final and despite Justin Kemp's efforts, there was no coming back.
Smith knows that he has perhaps the best chance yet of making sure that South Africa can break their dry as well as humiliating spell that has been their World Cup exits. Smith will be expected to lead from the front, quite literally with his batting. And leading a team of talent, but one that is looking light on experience, Smith will have his task cut out for him to inspire their team from rising above the burden of South Africa's previous trysts with the World Cup.
As Smith's final chance to captain South Africa to glory in the World Cup, Smith cannot let this opportunity slip by. There is greater inspiration at stake, and their journey has not exactly lit up en route to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. But the task to not only win the tournament but also, to ensure that South Africa have a dignified World Cup is pressure this one captain is going to have to deal with. Smith should not be surprised if he is inundated with messages that read "Happy Birthday, Graeme, South Africa is counting on you."
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