'We're lucky to have Smith'

Robert Craddock says in The Courier-Mail it’s time for Australians to dip their lids to Graeme Smith, a feisty captain and unifying influence.

Smith may be an occasional trash talker but the game is the richer for that. Most rival captains who visit Australia keep their tongues tied and their eyes down and end up being brutally nailed to the canvas.

Smith was aware of this and made a promise to himself he would go down swinging, or should we say sledging. It did not work but it certainly helped to generate a robust, competitive vibe among his team. World cricket is lucky to have him.