Smith glad to be back

Ricky Ponting and Graeme Smith pose with the Test Championship Mace and ODI Championship Shield

Graeme Smith will lead South Africa when the first of five one-day internationals against Australia begins in Durban tomorrow and the Proteas captain is relishing his return after a series of frustrating injuries.

The 28-year-old opener has been troubled by a chronic elbow injury in recent months, which was followed by a broken hand during his country’s tour Down Under.

Another broken finger in the second Test against Australia last month forced him to miss the third game and the two Twenty20 victories against Ricky Ponting’s men.

“Every chance you get to represent your country is a special one so it is nice to be back playing for South Africa,” Smith said.

“It is something I am looking forward to and hopefully we can put in a special performance on Friday and in the rest of the games. The guys are well prepared and excited.”

Mitchell Johnson caused Smith’s most recent injuries but the Proteas skipper is looking forward to resuming their battle.

He added: “Mitchell has been bowling really well. He is one of the best fast bowlers in the world at the moment and it will be a real challenge facing him.

“But as an opening batsman those are things that you learn to deal with throughout your career. I have travelled pretty much all around the world and faced all the world’s fastest quicks.

“Mentally it is just a case of preparing the right way. I have to think about how I am going to face these fast bowlers and how I am going to play them. That is the way I have always prepared in the past.

Mitchell Johnson and Smith will resume their runing battle in the one-day series

“It is something I look forward to. We have had a really good battle over the last period of time, I have had a bit of success and he has had a bit of success, so we will see what happens.”

Johnson is equally keen to resume hostilities, adding: “I have really enjoyed our contests.

“It’s always good to get the opportunity to bowl to an opening batsman with the new ball, especially Graeme Smith who is such a great player.

“I am looking forward to the challenge again and I am sure he is looking forward to getting out there and playing for his country.

“He is a strong leader and his team looks up to him and he has done so well, especially recently. The team will enjoy having him back in the squad and I know he will be raring to go.”

The 27-year-old, who will again lead the inexperienced Australia attack, was named man of the series in the Tests where he claimed 16 wickets and scored 255 runs.

And he highlighted the importance of starting with a victory at Kingsmead.

He added: “I go into these one-dayers with a bit of confidence from the Test series and will be looking to just bowl my best.

“I am looking to make a good start to the series because it is important that we do.

“We’ve got a good little squad here and there was a lot of energy at training this morning and hopefully we can take that through to the game.”