Smith - A lot to build on

Proteas skipper praises home side after series ends all square

Last updated: 13th April 2008

Graeme Smith v India

Smith: Pleased with South Africa's progress

If someone had said we would have achieved what we have achieved we would have been delighted. There is a lot to build on before we go to England.

South Africa skipper Graeme Smith
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South Africa captain Graeme Smith refused to be too downhearted after his side had to settle for a series draw against India.

Spinners Harbhajan Singh and Virender Sehwag bowled the hosts to victory in the third Test in Kanpur inside three days.

That result cancelled out the Proteas' success in the second match of the three-game series after the opening Test had ended in a tame draw.

Despite failing to hang onto their lead Smith admits he would have taken a draw at the start of the tour and that the results are a positive sign ahead of the upcoming tour of England.

Terrific season

"It is a very good India team and to come here and perform as well as we have caps a terrific season," he said

"If someone had said we would have achieved what we have achieved we would have been delighted.

"There is a lot to build on before we go to England."

Smith also felt South Africa would have stood a chance of bowling India out in the fourth innings had they managed to get a three-figure lead.

Instead the home team were left chasing just 62, a target they reached for the loss of just two wickets before the end of the third day.

Small margins

"The margins are pretty small on a wicket like this but India were clinical throughout and deserved their victory," Smith added.

"They got the ball in the right areas in our second innings and it was difficult to trust your shots.

"When you are only chasing 60, it is easy to play your shots. If we had been able to set them 120 it would have been interesting."

India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, standing in for the injured Anil Kumble, was delighted with the performance in a pressure situation.

"It was a complete team effort," he said. "We didn't win the toss which put us on the back foot but we came through.

"They made it tough but it was a good series, we played 15 days of good cricket."