Former Proteas skipper Graeme Smith at South Africa's practice session today. Image Source: XtraTime[/caption]Debasis Sen, London: South African cricketers had a surprise visitor today at the net session in the indoor academy at MCC. Former South African captain Graeme Smith dropped in at the optional net practice of the Lords cricket ground ahead of the final practice on Saturday on the eve of their crucial Group B match against India.
All-rounders Chris Morris and Dwaine Pretorius along with Wayne Parnell and left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj worked on their respective skills under the watchful eyes of batting coach Neil McKenzie and head coach Russel Domingo.
The presence of Smith will no doubt increase the moral of the South African cricketers ahead of the crucial clash against India on Sunday. With both teams losing their previous matches, it will be a do or die tie on Sunday. Whoever loses the match will be knocked out of the tournament.
Smith, who currently works as a commentator for the ICC, was at Lord's for some personal work and dropped by to give a pep talk to his former teammates.
Batting coach Neil McKenzie said that Smith is always around the team to give his inputs and it was great to have him at the camp ahead of a big match against India.
"Graeme is a South African at heart and is always there to help the team and give his inputs. It is great to hear from him as he has been a great captain and servant of South African cricket," McKenzie said.
Speaking about the mood in the camp after the loss to Pakistan, McKenzie said that the team has played great cricket over the past few years in one-day internationals to become the top team in the world and one reversal doesn't make them doubt the team's credentials.
"Pakistan played well and you have to give it to them. We are a confident bunch and know what we are capable of. We became no.1 in ODIs by playing good cricket.
"There message from AB de Villiers to the team is clear. We are here to win the Champions Trophy and as the top ODI team in the the world, we have to be favourites for the title," McKenzie said while answering a question on South Africa's famous chokers tag.
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