Cricket: GRAEME PASSES CAPTAIN'S TEST; Youngest SA skipper hits critics for six.

Byline: MYLES HODGSON

WHEN Graeme Smith was appointed South Africa's youngest cricket captain at the age of 22 in March, critics dismissed him as too young and too inexperienced.

But eight months on, after a reasonably successful tour of England and a fightback in Pakistan to win the one-day series 3-2, Smith has settled well into the job.

'Fantastic'

'I have learnt to handle all levels of responsibility. But things have been made easier because I am leading a fantastic bunch of players,' said Smith.

He replaced the popular Shaun Pollock, who was sacked as captain after South Africa's early exit from the World Cup, and he had few leadership credentials behind him.

Former South Africa and Warwickshire coach Bob Woolmer said at the time: 'Graeme is too young and hasn't done his apprenticeship yet. To be the captain of an international side one needs to go through the apprenticeship period and do a lot of hard work to get there.'

The fact that Smith managed successive Test double centuries - a national-record 277 at Edgbaston and a match-winning 259 at Lord's - during the England tour helped to swiftly increase his standing as a player and a captain.

Last weekend, he was given a vote of confidence by South Africa's chief selector Omar Henry who said: 'So far the team has progressed well under his supervision. We know he will make mistakes but he will also learn. He is a confident character and cricketer.'

Smith himself is happy with the responsibility of leading the team.

He said: 'I can now rely on the senior players in the team and I have had no problems with getting them to accept my decisions.

'But I am learning every day. This tour to Pakistan is very important for me and for South African cricket. Playing in sub-continental conditions makes you more mature. So far we have adapted well and it is good to see that the boys are hungry and passionate for the Tests.'

Pakistan has never been an easy place for touring sides and the build-up to South Africa's visit was overshadowed by security concerns expressed by the South African board and players in Pakistan.

But since the team arrived in Pakistan, Smith has scored points with the local media for his ability to have a laugh and for his eloquence at news conferences.

With the experience of only 15 Tests behind him, Smith faces the challenge of the two Tests in Pakistan and is realistic enough to concede that the one-day series triumph may count for nothing.

He said: 'It's been a mental dog-fight for us out there. But we have got the edge back. But still it is going to be a couple of tough games ahead of us and what is gone is gone. Pakistan are going to want to win. Our job is not finished.'

Smith did not take part in the final one-dayer last Sunday as he and Andrew Hall, Worcestershire's overseas player, were suspended for breaching the code of conduct in the second match at Lahore after a mid-pitch spat with Pakistan's Yousuf Youhana.

Smith wants to put that behind him, saying. 'You are representing your countrymen, every one of them. It's huge, it's massive. We went to make every South African proud.'

CAPTION(S):

CONFIDENT... Graeme Smith