Smith wary of Pietersen threat

Graeme Smith is keen to replicate the form which saw him score two double hundreds © Getty Images

South Africa captain Graeme Smith believes the way his side handle Kevin Pietersen will determine how successful they are on their upcoming tour of England.

Smith admitted Pietersen, who incited the wrath of the Proteas skipper when he defected from South Africa to England in a row about the quota system, would be a key player in the series, which starts next month.

“We’ve been asked about KP about 40 times, and I am sure we will be asked the question about 40 more,” Smith said.

“We as a team don’t really want to get involved in any antics and a lot will probably be made of these situations but we’re going to play cricket and if we play the right cricket then we will silence everyone.

“KP is a key batsman in the English line-up and the way we control him will be one of the keys to our success on this tour.”

Smith has fond memories of his 2003 outing in England where he scored two double centuries as a young captain.

“That was amazing,” he said. “I was someone with a strong persona who was trying to prove something. I had a lot of nerves back then but I believe I’m a lot more settled now and a lot more grown up and more mature.

“Hopefully that will mean I can go further. Every tour is a new challenge and I’m excited to be going back to England.”

The Proteas captain acknowledged England could benefit from their Test series wins over New Zealand, but believes a recent break for his side will mean South Africa are fresh for the battles ahead.

Kevin Pietersen is a key batsman in the Test side

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“I think the key is that England have played together for three Test matches and that will give them a competitive edge,” he said.

“We’ve been on a two-month lay-off and we’ve been together for a while so our side is mentally strong for the first Test and we are a bit more settled than they are.”

Smith confirmed he is on track to make the side for the first Test at Lords, as he continues his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury.

“So far so good at the moment,” he said. “I started running this weekend and I’m working to get a bit of time back into my legs.

“There is some hard work ahead but my aim is still to be ready for the second tour game against Middlesex, and so far I am on track.”

South Africa coach Mickey Arthur believes the tour will be the culmination of a two-year building process with his team.

“We’ve been building to this for the last two years and we wanted to be in a position where we got to England with a side with lots of caps, and especially later on against Australia on our next tour.

“There is a lot of experience in the side and the players know their roles in the side. We’re a settled unit.”