 Smith's appointment came as a surprise to some |
New South Africa captain Graeme Smith is too young to lead his country, according to former coach Bob Woolmer. Smith, 22, replaced Shaun Pollock in the wake of South Africa's poor World Cup display.
"Graeme is a good cricketer, but I don't think he should captain the side," Woolmer said on Tuesday.
"Graeme is too young and hasn't done his apprenticeship yet.
"To be the captain of an international side, one needs to go through the apprenticeship period and do a lot of hard work to get there."
Smith, who has played in only eight Tests, became the second youngest captain in one-day history when he led South Africa against India in Dhaka on Sunday.
It was a baptism Smith will want to forget with India romping to a massive 153-run win.
"His inexperience showed during South Africa's match against India he decided to bowl Shaun Pollock after the 28th over," Woolmer said.
"I fail to understand the logic behind bowling him too late.
"A ridiculous decision indeed since Shaun is a wonderful bowler with the new ball."
Woolmer, the high performance director of the International Cricket Council, felt Pollock should not have been sacked.
"It was like disarming the team," he explained.
"South Africa over-reacted to certain things that happened during the World Cup."
Woolmer said he felt South Africa was going through a rebuilding phase and that authorities acted too hastily.
"South Africa, like Pakistan, are going through a transitional phase," he said.
"Australia are the best in the world because they don't have many issues to tackle with.
"They have no financial problems unlike many other teams.
"The players are treated as a product and their administration concentrates only on cricket.
"When the players are faced with issues, their concentration gets affected.
"The great sides of the era are the ones without any issues."
MMIX
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