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Henderson to face India

Tyron Henderson‘s explosive batting exploits have finally paid off.

However, former SA captain and opening batsman Kepler Wessels does not agree. He says the current Proteas captain should try to rectify matters by playing some provincial cricket.

Smith believes he has not been comfortable at the crease since undergoing ankle surgery earlier this year.

His inability to score runs for the Proteas is not caused by a technical problem. It is more of a psychological thing; he has to get his head right, he says.

As opening batsman he has now scored 1, 0 and 0 off 12 balls in consecutive one-day internationals against India.

Left-arm seamer Zaheer Kahn has dismissed him in every one of those matches - leg before wicket twice and clean bowled once.

The Proteas play the Indians in a Twenty20 match at the Wanderers on Friday before the last match in the ODI series in Centurion on Sunday.

Smith said on Thursday it was the first time in two years that his batting in one-day cricket had landed in a rut; and only in the last three or four matches.

However, Wessels has advised Smith to try to spend some time in the middle by playing for his provincial side, the Cape Cobras.

"He clearly has no confidence," Wessels told John Goliath.

The best thing to do is to send him back to the Cobras to play in a four-day match," Wessels said on Thursday. "He needs time at the crease."

Despite Smith's opinions, Wessels feels there is something wrong with his technique. "His footwork is not right. He overbalances.

"There's nothing wrong with his leadership but he is putting a lot of pressure on his fellow batsmen. It could be considered to move him down the order but where will he fit in?"

Smith knows he has to start contributing runs to his team's efforts. And he feels the pressure, having learnt during the last few seasons how tall trees catch most of the wind.

"If you're a leader, people are quick to turn against you, which is disappointing," he said on Thursday. "People watch you closely and are quick to ask questions."

Smith believes he has been making amends for his disappointing batting by doing well in other facets of the game. He is happy with his captaincy and has taken six catches in the three ODIs.

For a recognised batsman to hold more catches than he scores runs, is certainly rare.

Smith scored only 72 runs in seven innings in die ICC Champions Trophy tournament in India. After making 42 in the first match, he scored only 30 in the next six.

The Cape Cobras play the Dolphins in a SuperSport Series match in Cape Town from next Thursday.

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