Graeme Craig Smith (born 1 February 1981) is a former South African cricketer and captain of the South African cricket team Test side, having succeeded Shaun Pollock after the 2003 Cricket World Cup. He was succeeded as captain of the ODI side by AB de Villiers after the 2011 Cricket World Cup. He is also currently the overseas player and captain of English side Surrey. He appeared in his 100th Test against England on 19 July 2012. He captained his 100th career Test match on 1 February 2013, against Pakistan, on his 32nd Birthday. On 24 October 2013, Smith became the second South African and 12th overall to complete 9,000 runs in test cricket in his 112th test match.
When Smith took the job from Shaun Pollock, he had only eight Tests to his name. South Africa had just been knocked out of their home World Cup in the first round and the spectre of Hansie Cronje, who died a year earlier, still hung over the Proteas.
Though his final series against Australia has ended in defeat, Smith leaves his side at the top of the world rankings. They have not lost a series away from home in eight years and the loss to Australia – so nearly avoided by a Smith-like rearguard on the final day – is only their second in 26 overall.
“He was very mature for his age when he came into the team,” said Pollock. “His big physique created a certain presence in the changing room and on the field.”Some criticised him for being brash, but he backed up his positive attitude with one great performance after another.
“Like all great sporting captains, Graeme led from the front. His own character enveloped the team and he established a wonderful rapport with team-mates. He is not going to be easily replaced.” Smith’s style was to lead from the front. In Test history, only India’s Sunil Gavaskar has scored more runs opening the batting than Smith’s 9,265.
When South Africa made 414-4 – the second highest run chase in Test history – to beat Australia in Perth in 2008, Smith got a hundred. When the Proteas stunned the same opposition with a world-record one-day international chase of 434 in 2006, Smith set the tone with 90 from 55 balls.
Smith married Irish singer Morgan Deane in August 2011 and was granted Irish citizenship in January. Four weeks ago he posted photos on Instagram of his wife with their two young children at the home in Ireland with the caption: “Always miss these guys when away!… last one I promise.”
As well as spending more time with his family at their homes in Ireland and London, Smith will devote his energy to helping Surrey regain their place in Division One of the County Championship when he joins up with the county in April.
His international career may be over, but his days of wreaking havoc on English cricket fields could continue for some time yet.
