Diary
Senior players need to be rested for India
By Graeme Smith
Feb 22, 2008, 16:11

I was over the moon when I sold for $475,000 at the IPL player auction. I didn’t really watch it on TV - it was our coach (Mickey Arthur) who called me to say I was heading to Jaipur. He was keeping us all informed as he is like Mike Hussey – a real Mr Cricket.

I never thought my cricket career would come to this – it’s quite incredible and I don’t know how anybody could be disappointed with being paid that amount of money for playing cricket for a short time. Jacques was delighted obviously (after selling for $900,000) and it’s funny how he ended up at Bangalore with his best mate, Mark Boucher.

I don’t have great memories of our past experience in Jaipur as we were beaten there by West Indies in the 2006 Champions Trophy and the hotel we were at wasn’t the best, though the ground and facilities were great. This is a whole new experience and I am sure the cricket, hotel and everything will be perfectly fine if what has already gone on in the IPL is anything to go by.

We probably don’t have the strongest squad on paper compared to some of the other teams who have spent big money but you never know - it’s a challenge. The local players will be very important and will have to contribute as we’re only able to field four overseas players at one time.  

I look forward to sharing a dressing room with Warney. We have played a couple of charity games together in the UK but most of the time we have been opponents in hard fought matches between Australia and South Africa. We have had some real heated and competitive games but have always been able to share a beer afterwards and talk about what went on.

He is a man who has a great cricket brain and who has achieved so much so it will be interesting getting to know the man behind the great player that he is. I am sure I will be able to learn from him as he has so much experience to offer.

I did spare a thought for Ashwell Prince, as he did not get signed by a franchise. To be fair he did not let it bother him too much and will still get paid for not going to India. He has not been in our one-day team and that would not have worked in his favour, though as long as he keeps doing what he’s doing in Tests I will be delighted.

I have to say though it’s difficult to work out how the franchises have planned their teams as I get the feeling some of the players have been signed more for marketing than for their cricket. But let’s see how it all pans out.

In terms of the first Test on day one, it was an interesting wicket as I have never seen a black pitch before. Once we got under way I was very happy with 192 - although we could have restricted them to 30 less - but I would have taken that after losing the toss.  We then needed one or two partnerships to get us going but as so often happens, if you lose early wickets you can get into trouble. But hopefully if someone comes through with an 80 or a 100 we can still manage a healthy lead.

I should give a mention to Morne Morkel who bowled really well for his five wickets. He has a long way to go to emulate Shaun Pollock but he has made a great start. Talking of Polly, it feels a little strange to not have him around any more.

At team meetings Shaun always offered a thousand ideas and though you might only use five of them it was good that he always contributed. Even on the team bus he always sat in the same place and now someone else is there – it’s different but it is also good because it has shown me that you have to make the most of your career before it has gone. Great players have to retire at some point but there are always new heroes coming along for kids to aspire to.

This is my second Test tour to Bangladesh and there isn’t much to do as it’s all cricket in the day and we just want to relax in the evenings though it was nice to discover there was a Nando’s nearby! I have been amusing myself by watching American Idol and one or two movies mainly. Bangladesh has definitely improved since I was last here in 2003 and the people are really nice.

This tour for is very important. Obviously first and foremost we want to win, but it’s also a great opportunity to acclimatise to sub-continental conditions again before we go to India, especially after being on South African wickets for six months where there is pace and bounce. We need to alter our techniques a little and our mindset.

For the one-day series most of the senior guys will sit it out and that will give opportunities to those who have performed well domestically. It’s always important to see what depth you have as you never know when you might get an injury or two to key players.

We want to show the other guys what it is like to play in the sub-continent as well. Guys back home would not be able to fathom out how different things are here and how you need to change your game accordingly. Some will have their chance to do that.