Happy birthday Graeme Smith: Here's a look at his achievements
Former South Africa cricket team skipper Graeme Smith turned 38 today. During his prime, Smith was regarded as one of the best captains in the world and he ruled the red-ball format. Smith was handed captaincy at a tender age of 22 and he showed his leadership skills as he took South Africa to the summit of the game. We look at his achievements.
He's the only player to captain a side in 100 Tests. The man who led South Africa to number one in the Test rankings for the first time. The man who shared a Test record opening partnership of 415 runs with Neil McKenzie in 2008.
— ICC (@ICC) February 1, 2019
Happy birthday to Proteas legend @GraemeSmith49! pic.twitter.com/A6Az3lGH3M
Smith captained South Africa in a record 109 Tests. His 53 wins as skipper is the most in the history of the game. He notched a winning percentage of 48.62. Smith scored the most number of tons (15) by a captain in Test matches won. He scored the most number of Test runs as captain (8,659). He smashed 25 hundreds as Test skipper.
Smith played a total of 117 Test matches. He scored 9,265 runs which included 27 tons and 38 fifties. He averaged 48.29 with the bat. He also played 197 ODIs and went on to amass 6,989 runs at an average of 37.98. Smith smashed 10 hundreds and 47 fifties in ODIs. The southpaw also played in 33 T20Is.
Smith was one of the safest fielders during his time. He hardly put a catch down. He took a stunning 169 catches in Test cricket. He is the second South African behind all-rounder Jacques Kallis (200). He is also the eighth highest in all-time list.
After making his debut against Australia in 2002, Smith's defining moment came in the following year. During South Africa's tour of England that year, Smith smashed 277 at Edgbaston and 259 in an innings victory at Lord's. His double century at Lord's is the highest knock there by a visiting player. He piled up an outstanding 714 runs versus England in that series.
In 2008, Smith powered SA to a Test series win in England after a period of 65 years. They once again emerged victorious in 2012 after claiming a 2-0 victory. In 2008-09, he led SA to a maiden Test series win in Australia. In 2012, Smith once again guided his side to a 1-0 win in the three-match Test series in Australia.
The southpaw is also the fastest South African to reach 1,000 Test runs. He received the South African cricketer of the year award in 2002. He led SA to world number one status in 2012. The southpaw was part of the record chase of 434 in an ODI in 2006 against Australia. Smith (90) shared a match-winning partnership of 187 with Herschelle Gibbs.
