Smith asks team to pull together on difficult India tour

NAGPUR, India, (Reuters) – South Africa captain Graeme  Smith urged his side yesterday to make the most of their five  days’ preparation before the first test against India after a  tumultuous week for himself and his side.

South Africa have only five days to prepare for the two-test  tour against the world number one side after coach Mickey Arthur  resigned and the entire selection panel were sacked following  the drawn series with England,

The first test starts in Nagpur on Feb. 6 after South Africa  open their tour with a two-day match against a Board President’s  XI today.

“It’s quite a condensed tour. There is a lot to jam in into  those five days especially that Corrie has just come in and  there is a lot for us to do,” Smith, who turned 29 on Monday,  told a news conference.

“The most important thing to do is to get the specifics  right. You must get the specifics right and make sure you make  the most of each day that you have been given.”

India displaced South Africa as world number one in December  after securing a 2-0 series victory over Sri Lanka.

“India now hold the mantle of number one in the world, which  is a credit to the way they have played,” Smith said.

“But we have come here to hopefully play better than them  and take it away from them. That’s something we are talking  about.

“To be successful here is a real feather in your cap you  know, not many teams can come here and win a series.”

Smith said South Africa had come close to winning a series  in India two years ago when they took a 1-0 lead before the home  side squared the three-match series on an unpredictable pitch in  Kanpur.

“I think generally we’ve played well. I think we have got  really a positive mindset about playing in the subcontinent at  the moment, which is important,” he said.