Old headlines carrying typically jingoistic messages have a habit of turning yesterday’s predictions into today’s joke. The South African newspapers are no different. However, in the case of Graeme Smith the ‘learning curve’ has developed a new meaning as the new captain ponders on life after the TVS series in Dhaka.The best thing he can do, considering the similarities in their circumstances, is to study the methods of India’s astute leader Saurav Ganguly and hope that the South African tour of England later this year will represent a less-embarrassing experience. Then again, it might not be a bad idea if coach Eric Simons takes a close look at how John Wright runs the side he has developed into a disciplined team with a clearly marked agenda and culture of steady success.While India went through a tough 18 months of trial and error under the Ganguly-Wright guidance and have emerged as a team of the future, South Africa are floundering; what has not helped is launching their ‘new plan’ with an oversized baby-faced opening batsman with a set of water wings in shark-infested waters and carrying the warning sign ‘DANGER’. But that is the muddled thinking of the current South African selection establishment.When Ganguly took over as India’s captain in March 2000 he had been on several tours and had played 35 Tests since that dream debut century at Lord’s almost four years before. Ganguly, as captain, brought a fresh, breezy approach which led to a forthright rapport with the media. Sure there have been times when things did not go too well and those with less foresight wanted his head and Sachin Tendulkar back as a replacement. Anyway, who were his critics? And what did they know of team leadership skills?At the Sinhalese Sports Club in late August 2001, Ganguly presented an unhappy, disgruntled picture and Wright’s own position as coach was decidedly shaky after the 1-2 series setback against Sri Lanka following the LOI setback almost a month before. India were seemingly left in need of new direction. Their reputation as bad tourists followed them in Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka and the side, after the amazing success at home against Australia, earned a variety of labels stamped ‘faiure’.Throughout it all, however, was Ganguly’s accessibility to the media, noticeable in trying circumstances during the tour of South Africa in 2001. Before that period in his captaincy, it was still noticeable how far advanced he was in matters of on-field leadership: there was some smart thinking about his tactical knowhow and it showed. Sure there were times when he did not get it quite right. Yet Ganguly left the feeling that at the time he is still in the learning process and his best was yet to come.Can Smith learn from this? If he is willing, perhaps he might. There is much to learn from Ganguly’s travels as captain. His handling of the bowlers at Kandy in 2001 where he led India to victory to square the series was notable for his foresight and the way he utilised Venkatesh Prasad to inspire a weakened attack. Unfortunately there were too many injuries and that crippled the side.His comments in Dhaka before the inaugural Test against Bangladesh and its position on the subcontinent went down a treat. Just the right diplomacy to get the local media on his side and more aware of India’s role. There is the knowledge too that given the opportunity he would do the same in Pakistan. he is that kind of person.When he gets on to the field, the iron fist in the velvet glove replaces the diplomacy and he tackles the tactical side with that rolled-up sleeves street-wise perfection of someone who knows the capabilities of his side as well as the weaknesses and strong points of the opposition. Bangladesh, he quietly muses, are still learning; give them time to develop.South Africa? Ah, South Africa.Smith and a side without an identity (which India have long had) and a bowling attack with which the new captain has battled to come to terms and the tactical needs. It is suggested that South Africa no longer have the bowling resources of five years ago; or even, perhaps three. Which is true enough.Then there is this problem of having someone who is on his first tour with the senior side and has been given leadership of a team among whom there are players who have no respect for his leadership or his man-management. Remarks of ‘‘I have captained Western Province this season.and South Africa A’’ needs examination. How many matches did he lead them in? What is his leadership record before this particular exercise?Ganguly knows what it was all about when he took over from Tendulkar in March 2000; Smith, however, gives the impression of being a great traffic officer as he waves his arms about as aimlessly as someone who forgot to check what he has to do next. Little wonder your average Protean is still bemused by the chaos into which the side has descended. Your ordinary spectator is losing respect and will continue to do so until a semblance of order, last seen in April 2000, is restored.
