South Africa under pressure ahead of second Test

DURBAN, South Africa, Dec 23, 2006 (AFP) - South Africa are under pressure ahead of the second Test against India starting at Kingsmead on Monday.

South African captain Graeme Smith

They suffered a shock 123-run defeat in the opening encounter of the three-match series in Johannesburg.

India, meanwhile, go into the match high on confidence after what was acclaimed as one of their best Test wins in recent years.
The spotlight is firmly on South African captain Graeme Smith and coach Mickey Arthur. Although both have been appointed until after the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies, there is growing criticism of their performances.

One South African newspaper this week called for Arthur to be sacked after a dismal run of results in Test matches.

Since Arthur was appointed in May 2005 South Africa have won seven and lost 11 Tests. They have won three series - against Zimbabwe, West Indies and New Zealand, none of which count among cricket's superpowers - and lost five.

Smith's form has dipped since the heights of 2003 when he pounded two double centuries against England and hit 1,198 runs in the calendar year at an average of 63.05.

Since the start of the 2005/06 season, Smith has made only 453 runs in nine Tests at an average of just 26.64. He has made no centuries and only two half-centuries, both in one match against New Zealand at the end of last season.

In a radio interview selection convenor Haroon Lorgat said there had been no discussion yet about dropping Smith but admitted that the captain's batting was a concern.

Lorgat has also been criticised for naming a squad for all three Tests despite the poor form of some of the batsmen and for deciding that most of the players should rest ahead of the first Test instead of playing in domestic matches.

Smith looked woefully out of touch when he was dismissed for five and 10 in the first Test against India but reacted tetchily when he was asked about the cheap dismissals of the top three in the South African batting order, who made a combined 32 in six innings in Johannesburg.