Graeme Smith's tour diary

[gertcha EFM]

Extracts from South Africa and World XI skipper Graeme Smith's tour diary ahead of the Super Series Test against Australia.

 

Friday 7: Arrived in Melbourne — very excited! Sat next to Inzi on the plane from Dubai, and think we may have a problem — he chatted to me for most of the trip, but I couldn't understand a word he said. Eventually gave him my airline meal, which seemed to make him happy. Wonder what the Urdu word for twelfth man is?

 

Saturday 8: Bumped into Michael Vaughan in the lobby of the hotel this morning. He seemed surprised to see me, and said he hadn't realised that the Super Series was on — he just happened to be in Melbourne at the time. Asked if everyone was fit, and said that by chance he had his kit with him if we were a bit short. Said I'd let him know.

 

Sunday 9: Watched the guys lose the last one-day game today, which was disappointing. Had a bit of a run in with Kevin Pietersen, who I don't like very much. But got one over him — called him a skunk, because of the white stripe in his hair, which was pretty funny. That showed him. Brought my autograph book along, and got Brian Lara's signature, which was awesome; pity Sachin Tendulkar isn't here, but Rahul said he'd get it for me, and I can paste it into my autograph book, which will be very cool.

 

Monday 10: Bumped into Vaughan again on the way down to breakfast, bouncing a ball on his bat in the corridor outside my room. Said he was keeping his eye in just in case, and offered to give me some throw downs in the nets if I wanted any, which was nice of him. Quite a coincidence that he's in the same hotel as us, I suppose. Had a net session this morning, but didn't go so well — Murali was bowling and Mark was 'keeping, but kept missing the ball (Freddie started calling him Geraint, which was really nasty). Sorted it out in the end, though — Murali will scratch his ear if he's going to bowl his doosra, and rub his nose if it's a top-spinner. And Ian Chappell said I couldn't captain a top spin bowler...

 

Tuesday 11: Went to the ICC Awards this evening — pretty cool. Richie Benaud didn't wear a beige jacket, which was a first. Pietersen arrived with some old blonde woman — thought it might have been an aunt, but turns out it's his new girlfriend. Got an SMS from Herschelle during the dinner, but as usual couldn't understand a word of it. Still, nice of him to think of me. He wouldn't have liked the evening, though, and neither would Nicky — dinner was curry, and both Herschelle and Nicky hate spicy food so much that they won't even go to India.

 

Wednesday 12: Been a lot of talk that the team won't be motivated, and that we're only in it for the money, the nice restaurants, and a bit of a holiday with wives and girlfriends. That's not remotely true — we were discussing it at the beach this morning, and then again over a light lobster and champagne lunch, and we all agree that we're fired up for Friday. And just to make sure, I've organised a team spa session this evening before the wine tasting.

 

Thursday 13: Woken up at three in the morning by a banging outside — Michael Vaughan practicing his driving in the corridor! He couldn't believe it was me when I opened the door — he just happened to be in Sydney, and was staying at our hotel. Was very friendly, wanting to know how the team was, and if everyone was fit and okay to play; but I wasn't entirely happy to be woken up so early, to be honest. And it didn't settle my nerves — hardly touched the salmon at breakfast (Inzi finished it for me), and almost gave the boat cruise a skip. Getting very excited for tomorrow, though. Me captaining Lara, Dravid, Murali, Harmison — who would have thought?