Man-of-the-match Smuts gears up for next challenge

Jon-Jon Smuts is not thinking too far ahead to the T20 World Cup in Australia later in the year because of the fierce competition for places in the South African limited-overs sides.

Smuts‚ who was named man of the match for his 84 and two wickets in the sixwicket win over Australia in Potchefstroom on Saturday‚ said he would continue to raise his hand whenever opportunities presented themselves.

With Temba Bavuma doubtful for the first of three ODIs against India in Dharamshala on Thursday‚ the 31-year-old Warriors batting allrounder may get another opportunity at the top of the Proteas batting lineup.

“At the moment I am kind of taking it series by series to be honest‚” he said as they wrapped up a series whitewash of Australia.

“We have India next who are one of the best sides in the world. Many people are saying they are the best side in the world and they are going to be extremely difficult to beat under their own conditions.

“It is going to be a tough test for all of us because we have only played at home throughout the summer.

“I suppose my career over the past five years has taken a different route.

“I started out as an opening batter and moved to the middle order over the last few years.

“Mark Boucher and I had chats and we are probably looking at the middle of the order as a place for me in the national team.

“He did say to me that injuries happen in any series and I was fortunate to get an opportunity through an injury even though it was hard luck for Temba.

“I came in and batted at three‚ which is a position I am used to‚ and I guess I haven’t done too badly.”

Smuts said he wanted to make a positive contribution to the team, both on and off the field.

“It is great to be part of this competitive system‚” he said.

“Everyone is pulling their weight and you can see that by the fact there have been several different man-of-the-match awards, and that is exciting to see.

“We are playing very well at the moment as a team and this 3-0 win over Australia proves that.

“Over the last couple of years domestically‚ I have really put my hand up with the ball, but obviously I had to produce numbers with the bat.

“Boucher has said it all along that he can’t select 15 guys but then only 11 to go out there and play.

“He also has to balance the team and there are also conditions to contend with.”

Meanwhile, flamboyant Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya was picked for India’s upcoming ODI series against

SA after months of being sidelined by injury, the Board of Control for Cricket in India yesterday.

The 26-year-old underwent successful surgery for a lowerback injury in October and had not played since then.

Also back in the team was veteran opener Shikhar Dhawan, who dislocated his shoulder against Australia in January, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who last played in December before a hernia operation.

The first ODI will be played on March 12 in Dharamshala and the second on March 15 in Lucknow.

The final match will be played in Kolkata on March 18.

ODI squad: Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Virat Kohli (capt), KL Rahul, Manish Pandey, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Navdeep Saini, Kuldeep Yadav, Shubman Gill. —