‘Ruthless’ Smith in no mood to ease up on Kiwi bowlers

South Africa captain Graeme Smith has warned New Zealand bowlers that he intends to carry forward his good form in the final Test match as well.

Wellington: South Africa captain Graeme Smith has warned New Zealand bowlers that he intends to carry forward his good form in the final Test match at Wellington, as the team’s peak form hasn’t been achieved yet.

Smith and his team were able to celebrate St Patrick`s Day in style after savaging the Black Caps in the second Test to take a 1-0 lead with one match to play in the series. The Proteas were out on the town after three days of play, following an inexorable bowling display, in which they dismissed the home side for 185 and 168, with the prolific Vernon Philander grabbing ten wickets in the match. Smith, who hit an unbeaten 55 as the tourists hurried to their target of 101 in the 20th over, was in no mood to feel for the hosts who have a sole Twenty20 win to their name against the visitors this summer. “It`s been a tough summer but, if you are not successful in a home summer the pressure - with your own crowds and your own media - does feel a whole lot more than when you`re away,” a daily quoted Smith, as saying. “In professional sport, you want to be as ruthless as possible. Wellington can be a tough venue for a touring team with the conditions you can face there, particularly the wind at the Basin,” he said. Smith said the team would like to conclude the series on a high, as it has been a tremendous tour for them. “We would like to finish this tour strongly because it has been a terrific tour for us,” he added. But, Smith also cautioned the Kiwis that the best from them was yet to come, as the team is still improving. “We`ve still got a lot of improving to do,” he said. ANI