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My greatest innings, says match-winner Smith

02/08/2008

South Africa captain Graeme Smith described his series-winning 154 not out against England at Edgbaston today as his greatest ever innings for his country.

Smith batted for over six hours to guide his side to victory in the third Test at Edgbaston which sees South Africa take a 2-0 lead in the four match Test series, with only the final Test remaining at the Oval.

The Proteas had been set a target of 281, but were struggling on 93/4 as England looked on course to square the series. But Smith stayed defiant as wickets tumbled around him and was there at the end to lead his victorious side off the ground.

"England made us play really hard. We didn't bowl as well yesterday and they put us under pressure and we had to come up with something special which we did," Smith told Sky Sports.

"I'd like to think it was my best knock in the colours in terms of the meaning that comes with it .

"Obviously I have some individual knocks which mean a hell of a lot to me but in terms of the country and the team and what we have achieved I think it is right up there ."

Smith has a brilliant record against England with today's hundred his second of the series. The 27-year-old also hit two double tons in the last tour to England.

His knock today was priceless as his team had lost the likes of Jacques Kallis, and the in-form duo of Ashwell Prince and AB de Villiers, with the Proteas still requiring over a hundred runs for the win.

Smith, who was suffering from tennis elbow and a bad back, shared in an unbroken 112 run match-winning stand with wicket-keeper Mark Boucher.