The 31-year-old, who is currently with the Proteas in Australia ,
set a record for 94 Tests as captain in the final match against England
in August.
He said: "I am excited to be joining such a
professional and talented team, during what will hopefully prove to be a
rewarding and successful period.
"I will balance my new role alongside my commitments
to the Proteas."
Graeme Smith's Test record
• Tests: 102
• Runs: 8,314
• Average: 49.78
• Highest
score: 277
• Centuries: 25
• Tests as
captain: 94
Smith became his country's youngest Test captain when he led
South Africa
against Bangladesh
at the age of 22 years and 82 days.
He guided them to the top of the International Cricket
Council Test rankings with the 2-0 victory in England
this summer.
The opening batsman has scored 8,314 runs at an average of 49.78
in 102 Tests, including 25 centuries.
Smith, whose wife is from the Republic
of Ireland Surrey
after South Africa 's
home series against Pakistan ,
which will finish in late March.
"When you consider the ambition shown it was an easy
decision for my self and my family," he said.
"I am excited about what we can achieve at Surrey
going forward and I look forward to continuing to represent my country for many
years to come."
Smith will be available for the majority of Surrey's matches
next season, with the club hopeful he will play in 10 County Championship
matches as well as leading the side in Twenty20 and 40-over competitions.
The left-hander will be unavailable to play for Surrey while
he is representing South Africa in the ICC Champions Trophy, which is being
held in England in June next year.
"By signing a three-year deal, Graeme has demonstrated
his commitment to Surrey on a long-term basis," the
former Sussex
captain told BBC London 94.9.
Nov-Dec 2012: Tour to Australia
Dec 2012-Jan 2013: Home to N Zealand
Feb-Mar 2013: Home to Pakistan
June 2013: Champions Trophy
Oct-Nov 2013: Tour to Pakistan
Nov 2013-Jan 2014: Home to India
Feb-Mar 2014: Home to Australia
Smith, who spent a season at Somerset
in 2005, replaces Gareth Batty as captain at The Oval.
Batty took over as skipper on a short-term basis after Rory
Hamilton-Brown, who joined Sussex
in September, stood down from the role in August. after
Hamilton-Brown found it difficult to concentrate on cricket
following the death of friend and team-mate Tom Maynard in June.
"We've had a very, very difficult summer," Adams
admitted on BBC Radio 5 live. "One of
our players got killed in tragic circumstances, he happened to be the best mate
of the captain of the club and Rory, understandably, found it difficult to see
a future at Surrey .
"We were faced with replacing Rory, we drew a list up
and right at the top was Graeme Smith, some would argue one of the great
captains of all time. Add to that his ability with the bat as an opening
batsman and he was the number one target.
"Graeme has reached a point in his career where he has
done just about everything that he could wish to have done for South Africa, he
will continue in that, the schedules are very favorable, it looks very clear he
will be able to play the first half of the Championship season.
By joining Surrey , Smith will play
alongside England
batsman Kevin Pietersen, with whom he is thought to have had a fractious
relationship since Pietersen left South Africa
in 2000.
"I understand there is great mutual respect," Adams
insisted. "I think they've had their moments through their careers but I
think it's more than healthy at the moment.
"I've spoken to both about each other and they're both
looking forward to the prospect of lining up with each other”
0 comments:
Post a Comment