Graeme Smith confident of chances

Graeme Smith: 'A lot depends on how a team plays on a particular day' © Getty Images

Graeme Smith is certainly not a captain to take a backward step and has come out firing ahead of the Champions Trophy by claiming South Africa are of the favourites to claim the title.

His team have had a truncated build-up after abandoning a triangular tournament in Sri Lanka with just three matches against Zimbabwe and a couple of provincial games as preparation.

However, after arriving in New Delhi ahead of the tournament Smith, who has just returned from an ankle injury, was in bullish mood. "We are ranked second in the world and there is no shying away from the fact that we are one of the top teams. We have generally done well in India and our team is confident of a good show.

"But we cannot take other teams for granted. Australia are the top side no doubt, but in one-day cricket a lot depends on how a team plays on a particular day."

Smith, who scored 90 at Johannesburg in his team's world-record chase of 438 for 9 for a series win against Australia earlier this year, claimed his team's preparations had left the side in the good spirits despite the lack of tough matches.

"We had a 10-day training camp and all our players know their roles well. The break that I had because of an injury seems to have done me good and I am fresh as ever."

The coach, Micky Arthur, welcomed Smith's return to the side. "It is fantastic to have Smith back in the side. We have marked this tournament as a big one and intend to keep the momentum going in the days to follow."

Arthur said the team was a settled one and capable of entertaining fans. "We have tried out various combinations in the past few years and will only try to rotate the players on the odd occasion," he added. "What we can promise is an exciting brand of cricket with our fielding very much an asset and capable of leading us to success."