Smith keen to get runs on the board

KARACHI – South African skipper Graeme Smith believes putting runs on the board early will be key for his side in a test series against Pakistan starting from today.

Smith and Herschelle Gibbs are set to resume their opening partnership in the first test at the National stadium. South Africa have tried out six different opening combinations in their last 12 tests.”Playing in the subcontinent is always a big challenge and there is pressure.But I am pretty comfortable we can respond to it accordingly and do a good job,” Smith told a news conference yesterday.”The key to doing well on these pitches in the subcontinent is to post enough runs on the board.There is a key role for our top three batsmen in this series.”Pakistan have prepared a slow turning track for the opening test and are expected to play two specialist spinners – Danish Kaneria and Abdul Rehman, who will make his test debut.Nampa-ReutersSouth Africa have tried out six different opening combinations in their last 12 tests.”Playing in the subcontinent is always a big challenge and there is pressure.But I am pretty comfortable we can respond to it accordingly and do a good job,” Smith told a news conference yesterday.”The key to doing well on these pitches in the subcontinent is to post enough runs on the board.There is a key role for our top three batsmen in this series.”Pakistan have prepared a slow turning track for the opening test and are expected to play two specialist spinners – Danish Kaneria and Abdul Rehman, who will make his test debut.Nampa-Reuters