Second mishap in two days for Smith

On Sunday, Smith was the centre of all attention leading upto the start of play, but for his part, the Safs8217; captain had just one thing on his mind: 8216;8216;I just wanted to play. That8217;s it,8217;8217; Smith told The Indian Express after the day8217;s play showing a steely determination.

Earlier in the day, this determination was in evidence when team physio Shane Jabaar put him through a fitness test. Finally Jabaar cleared him to play and there was a huge sigh of relief across the visitors8217; dressing room. It was left to media manager Gerald de Kock to spread the cheer and he went up to everyone with a 8216;8216;Smith8217;s walking out to toss8217;8217;.

At the end of it, however, all the pre-match drama culminated in just a two-ball stay at the crease. A dab at one outside the off-stump off Irfan Pathan, and Smith would later admit: 8216;8216;It was a poor shot. Really, there are no excuses for it.8217;8217;