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Smith proud of team effort

21/07/2008

South Africa captain Graeme Smith said his side's ability to turn on the style at decisive moments was the key to their success at Headingley.

"I think it was a good exciting Test match but I think the key moments we played a lot better," Smith said.

"A lot of our guys stepped up when they needed to and that was great to see.

"We bowled nicely to restrict England and I think the batting performance after that was a credit to the guys.

"It was fantastic to be 319 ahead and I think the guys today bowled really well."

Smith revealed that the unlikely draw his side earned at Lord's last week allowed the tourists to come into the second test full of confidence.

"The draw at Lord's was a great effort from all of us and allowed us to be positive and not under too much pressure coming into this test," Smith said.

"At level in the series there was still a lot to play for.
"We played the better cricket over the four days and it's fantastic to be the team that's won out.

"We've got psychological strength in our own abilities. We know we didn't perform to that level at Lord's and we wanted to work on a few things and I think we've proved our skill levels in this game."

Left-hander Ashwell Prince was Man of the Match after following up his century at Lord's with an accomplished 149, during a partnership of 212 with AB de Villiers.

"I am striking it quite nicely at the moment," Prince said.

"A hundred at Lord's and a hundred here, and building up to the Test series I was batting nicely too.