We’ve got right combination to match India: Smith

Asked if SA would feel the absence of Nel and Langeveldt, captain Smith said he had faith in his team.

Despite selection controversy, South African captain Graeme Smith said his team had ‘right combination’ to meet the challenge from Indians in the first of the three-Test series starting on Wednesday.

“India is one of the better teams, fairly experienced and well balanced. There are lot of impressive names in the lineup and some of the players have been there for a long time. But we believe we can match up to them,” he told a pre-match press conference.

“There had been a lot of talk about youth and experience in India. Youngsters will like to get out and prove their worth. But we believe we have got the right combination,” he said.

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Asked if South Africans would feel the absence of pace bowlers Andre Nel and Charl Langeveldt due to the raging quota controversy, Smith said he had faith in his team.

“Proteas bowling attack had huge capabilities and the has team worked out different plans for different Indian players who had good reputation,” he said.

Asked if the selection controversy related to a fixed quota for coloured players had affected his team, Smith said, “the players are matured enough to get over it”.

“In a way, it is a bonus that we could come here moving away from the issue and focus on cricket.”