Custom Bats Cricket Forum
General Cricket => Players => Topic started by: ajmw89 on September 27, 2012, 01:06:15 PM
-
http://www.espncricinfo.com/southafrica/content/current/story/584201.html
Graeme Smith ponders lucrative Surrey offer
Surrey have offered Graeme Smith, South Africa's Test captain, a lucrative long-term deal that could potentially require him to give up international cricket.
ESPNcricinfo understands that the South Africa opener has been identified by Surrey as the perfect man to lead their rebuilding process after a season that saw the retirement of senior batsman Mark Ramprakash, the death of the talented Tom Maynard and the departure of former captain Rory Hamilton-Brown. Smith would open the batting and lead the side.
It is not hard to see the attraction from Surrey's point of view. Smith, who will be 32 in February, has played more than 100 Tests and, as captain, overseen South Africa's ascent to No. 1 in the rankings. He averages almost 50 in Test cricket and scored a century in his 100th Test, against England at The Oval earlier this year.
After years on the road, a period of relative stability in London might well prove attractive for Smith too. He has recently married - his wife is from Ireland - and had his first child. But, while Smith has achieved almost everything he could have wanted as a Test player and no longer warrants selection in South Africa's T20I side, the ambition to win a World Cup remains strong.
While it is possible that Surrey would consider signing Smith simply as an overseas player and be happy for him to continue his international career, it is understood that the club are looking for a long-term option and would be reluctant to accept a situation where a player comes and goes according to the international fixture list. South Africa are scheduled to play in the Champions Trophy in England next June and then tour Sri Lanka in July and August.
Surrey declined to comment.
-
That would be a huge signing for Surrey at the same time a huge loss for SA and International Cricket.
-
maybe in 2-3 years time but would you really see him giving up international cricket now?
-
Think he still wants to play on for SA till the next world cup. Wonder how much they'd really need to pay him...
-
He's been an international captain for ten years... must take its toll.
He's the perfect Surrey signing though, because everybody else already hates him.
-
I think IF SA by slim chance don't choke and win the T20 world cup he might take them up on the offer sooner rather than later.. But I cant see SA winning so guess he would stay the skipper for a little while longer.... If he does move to Surrey I bet KP will be out of there like a flash... :D
Al thou the two of them in the middle together on 200 each would be quite something
-
Fantastic player and captain. I would love to see him back at Somerset.
-
A brilliant player.
A much nicer bloke than people give him credit.
-
Gone on a 3 year deal and will captain the side, guess that means no more international cricket for him? Good signing for surry though it must've been expensive !
-
Good signing by Surrey, however I feel they need to bolster the batting line up with some decent reserve players to get the likes of Roy, Burns, Harinath fighting for their place.
-
Gone on a 3 year deal and will captain the side, guess that means no more international cricket for him? Good signing for surry though it must've been expensive !
is this official? was a rumour a while back which he denied. suprised he would give up international cricket so early. i know he has a wife and a newborn so maybe thats swayed the decision
-
It has been confirmed via Sky Sports News.
-
yes sky sports have said its confirmed.
-
It's on their website now too - massive coup
-
http://www.kiaoval.com/surrey-sign-graeme-smith-as-captain/
Looks like he will play for SA as well, So you have to ask how many games will he be missing.
-
Well he's only gone and done it and signed for them! He'll continue to play for SA, so the likelihood he and KP will play together will be slim.
-
I hope he still plays for SA!!
-
be interesting to see what tours etc SA have over the next couple of years. obviously aus trip til march so wont miss the start of the season but could impact on larger periods where hes away from surrey. Very good signing though. Imagine he hasnt come cheap. probably good they have got rid of a few players for next season
-
Season Starting Month Home team
Away team
2012/13 November 2012 Australia South Africa
December 2012 South Africa New Zealand
February 2013 South Africa Pakistan
2013 May 2013 Test Play-off (England)
2013 July 2013 Sri Lanka South Africa
2013 September 2013 Champions League
2013/14 October 2013 Pakistan South Africa
November 2013 South Africa India
February 2014 South Africa Australia
2014 April 2014 ICC World T20 (Bangladesh)
2014/15 August 2014 Zimbabwe South Africa
2014 September 2014 Champions League
November 2014 Australia South Africa
December 2014 South Africa West Indies
2015 February 2015 ICC World Cup (Australia / New Zealand)
2015 July 2015 Bangladesh South Africa
2015 September 2015 Champions League
-
This is a really good signing for Surrey, but it is also a pension pot for Graeme Smith as well.
I am staggered he has signed - but there is a massive leadership vacuum at the club so this will really help the youngsters.
-
[url]http://www.kiaoval.com/surrey-sign-graeme-smith-as-captain/[/url]
Looks like he will play for SA as well, So you have to ask how many games will he be missing.
And how Chris Adams will deal with a strong leadership figure rather than a patsy.
-
With the exception of 2013, I think he'll be ok for most of the 3 years. He'll be let off Zim and Bangladesh I imagine. CSA I imagine will be looking to groom a new captain by then. he'll be 34 in 2015. Wouldn't be surprised if he packs it with SA after that.
Alot of downtime is being created by t20 and I imagine he wants to cash in while he still can.