Positive outlook for Proteas

Bowlers please captain after draw in series opener in Chennai

Last updated: 31st March 2008

Graeme Smith pulls

Smith: Pleased with his side's display in Chennai

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South Africa captain Graeme Smith praised his bowlers after the drawn first Test against India.

Neil McKenzie struck 155 not out on the final day in Chennai to make sure the visitors batted out for a draw.

However, the Proteas' situation was made much more easier after they had reduced the hosts from 481-1 to 627 all out in their first innings.

The fine work by the bowlers meant South Africa only trailed by 87 runs going into the start of their second innings.

"The positive for us is actually we took control of the game," Smith said afterwards.

"We changed the game instead of dealing with what came our way and moved it into our direction.

"That is the big shift in terms of the way our team is at this moment. To then come out and bat as solidly as we did was good for us."

Superb knock

Smith was also quick to pay tribute to Virender Sehwag for his record-breaking innings of 319.

The opener hit 42 fours and five sixes in his amazing 304-ball knock that saw him rightly named man of the match.

"Virender played a superb knock but we learnt a lot to take into the next match," Smith added.

"Hopefully we can be a bit more ruthless there."