Smith hails historic year

Graeme Smith's 149 not out in the third Test topped off a successful year for his side

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Graeme Smith hailed South Africa’s best Test year in history and claimed lifting the Basil D’Oliveira Trophy was the icing on the cake for his side.

Despite losing a dead rubber to England at the Brit Oval, South Africa celebrated a 2-1 campaign triumph, their first series win on British soil since 1965.

It has culminated an outstanding 2007/08 sequence in Tests, which has also seen them win in Pakistan and draw in India among six unbeaten Test campaigns.

“I think this series is obviously the one that meant the most to us - it has taken a very long time to get hold of the trophy,” Smith said.

“So far I think this is the most successful South African season we have probably ever had.

“So credit to the team in the way they have developed - the collective team effort in regards to performance over that period of time.

“When you go to Pakistan, then to India and then you come here, those are three massive challenges within a period of time.

“And when you have won two out of the three series and drawn the other one that is a side that is definitely on the up.”

Tougher challenges lie in wait for the Proteas with home and away series against Australia this winter.

The first of those takes place Down Under in December and Smith, whose side are second in the official Test rankings, admitted his side are building towards the series against Ricky Ponting’s side.

Smith was full of praise for the spirit and team unity the Proteas showed in the npower Test series

“I think the confidence that we have gained from winning the series is an important facet for us going to Australia,” he explained.

“That has been the really tough place to play, skill-wise, mentally and physically.

Smith, 27, is already on his third opponent as permanent England captain, having squared up to Nasser Hussain and Michael Vaughan in the past.

But Kevin Pietersen has surpassed the achievements of that pair by defeating Smith at the first time of asking.

However, Smith warned: “It is still too early to say anything about the differences in their leadership.

“The team plays in a certain way. I think Kevin will find that over time, he has obviously had success in his first game, but he seems to be a much more positive, confident guy on the field.

“He might just as well meet the challenges that are coming up for him in a very positive way.

South Africa turn their attention to one-day action this week with two contests against England Lions in Leicester and Derby.

Smith is to rest his troublesome back niggle until the second game, however, having opted to take some time off between npower and NatWest series.