Coach Gary Kirsten has backed South Africa captain Graeme Smith to mark his record outing as leader with a big performance against England at Lord’s.
The Proteas will win the three-match Test series and take over top spot in the world rankings if they avoid defeat at the home of cricket, with South Africa 2/7 with bookmaker to wrap up the series.
Smith will lead his side out at Lord’s for a record 94th time in a Test match, surpassing the record set by former Australia legend Allan Border, with Kirsten expecting big things from the opener, who has scored a century and a double century on his previous two Test outings at Lord’s.
Kirsten told reporters: “He commands a lot of respect and admiration from everyone that enters the team environment and that says a lot about the individual.
“He has been humble about his achievements and personally I feel he has been one of the most significant and often under-rated players of South African cricket.”