Headingley experience excites Smith

18 July 2008

Mark Boucher embraces Graeme Smith after South Africa's victory in 2003

Graeme Smith has mixed memories of Headingley - but if the outcome in the second npower Test is the same as it was for South Africa here five years ago, he will have no complaints.

Smith's only previous experience of the Leeds venue ended in victory by an unlikely route, after he had chosen to bat first and seen his team collapse to 21 for four.

He was one of those back in the pavilion for single-figure scores but, after a Gary Kirsten-inspired fightback and England imploded from 169 for one to concede a first-innings lead, South Africa finished winners by 191 runs.

"It was a pretty stressful Test, winning the toss and then being 21 for four. I remember not getting much sleep," Smith said.

"My other memory is of England taking the bad light and us coming out and changing the rhythm of the game."

For Smith, such ups and downs are all part of the magic associated with a famous venue.

"Headingley provides those fluctuating Test matches – every day, every session can change," he added. "It can be quite an emotional Test match. I just hope it's as successful for us as 2003."

South Africa were this morning facing a last-minute decision on the fitness of opener Neil McKenzie, one of their saviours in the drawn first Test at Lord's but struggling with a groin strain as a result of that nine-and-a-quarter-hour 138.

Smith remained only cautiously optimistic last night. "He's progressed quite nicely, but we'll still have to see how he wakes up tomorrow morning," he said.

South Africa will make a late decision on the fitness of opener Neil McKenzie, who has a groin strain

That decision and others - whether to bat first this time, should Headingley be overcast, and whether to pick a spinner or load up a five-strong seam attack - will also come late.

"We'll keep our options open as we did before Lord's," Smith reported. "Until we've had the chance to have a proper look at the wicket, it is hard to make decent decisions."

Smith will take heart not just from Headingley 2003 but Lord's this past week, as South Africa seek to start the second Test better than they did the first.

"We were poor, and the bowlers know that - and they're really looking forward to turning a few things round in this Test," Smith said, reflecting on the 593 for eight declared England racked up over the first two days at HQ.

South Africa's bowlers have since reportedly been reviewing videos of past glories, but Smith insists the important preparation for this match has been of the conventional variety.

"Confidence is always a key thing for your performance, and how you get it is interesting for each individual," he said.

"But it is more technically, looking at the way the ball was coming out when you were bowling well."