Fond Dolphins farewell for Smit
DARYN Smit’s fond farewell from the Dolphins put significant gloss on an otherwise bland Sunfoil Series encounter between the hosts and the Cape Cobras, which ended in a tame draw at Kingsmead yesterday.
Though Smit could potentially feature in the One-Day Cup competition, he has definitely played his last bit of red ball cricket for the KZN outfit. And so, given the ceremony and emotion of it all, Smit savoured every moment.
The former captain, formerly called “Smudge”, is now called “Speech” in the dressing-room, and there was the obligatory address, in tights and the pink hat that the team hands over to the individual who is the focal point of their post-match deliberations.
When both captains agreed to shake hands, just before tea yesterday, Smit was afforded a guard of honour, as sincere a gesture as he could be given by men who know just how much he has contributed to the franchise in the past dozen years.
“I’ve always believed cricket owes nobody any favours,” a glowing Smit said just outside the team dressing-room, as the jury inside paused to consider their verdict.
“I didn’t expect any senti- ment, but to get that guard of honour, and to hear all those nice things said by the opposition, it was really special,” he admitted.
Often the nearly-man in several aspects of his career, Smit had privately accepted that he may have already played his last game a fortnight ago, before captain Morne van Wyk was struck down by a timely glute injury, given Smit’s circumstances.
“When I got the call to get back to Maritzburg (to play the Titans), I was in Johannesburg for a commentary gig. That was my 100th match for the Dolphins, and I thought that it might be my last,” he reflected.
“When I was told that Morne wasn’t playing here, I knew that this would be my last match.”
For a man who has had to scrap for all of his career, it was fitting that he walked in at 68-4 in his final knock, and had to deliver a final rescue act, ending with a franchise best score of 150 not out.
“I definitely didn’t think that I would end off my career by getting my best ever score for the Dolphins. I couldn’t have scripted it any better,”
Once earmarked as next in line for the Proteas, Smit admitted that there were some regrets from his career, and also that he had given thought to moving on when Van Wyk arrived as the glove-man and captain. As the other keeper in the squad, it was a valid consideration.
“It is disappointing that the only trophy I won here was the Ram Slam a few years ago. There were a couple of shared four-day titles, but that was very early in my career, and I only played a few games.
“I have made a conscious effort not to dwell on the regrets, cry over spilt milk, and rather cherish the good memories.”
Yesterday, and indeed the past fortnight, has added to that good memory bank. Smit left on a considerable high, his bat raised and the sun shining on him at his beloved Kingsmead.
Once his media duties were done, he nipped back into the team sheds, where the jury was getting more raucous. They were eager to toast the Speech, as he and his wife Sarah look to a new chapter in the UK come April.
The Dolphins will attest that Smit will be a whole-hearted addition to whichever changeroom his services go to next, pink hat and all.