David Leggat: Remarkable leader a real champ

Since Graeme Smith's debut in 2002, also on his home ground in Cape Town, the big lefthand opener has never ranked among the game's finest stylists. Photo / Otago Daily Times

One by one they're going.

First Rahul Dravid, then Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis and now Graeme Smith, towering batsmen of a generation, have signed off from test cricket.

Kevin Pietersen's gone too, although not on his own terms. Smith would be on a slightly lower plane than the others, all alltime greats. However Smith has been a remarkable leader of his country.

He took them to the world No 1 ranking, kept them there for 19 months; they are unbeaten on the road for eight years, which is a stunning achievement, and haven't lost at home for almost five - although that may change in the next day at Newlands.

Since his debut in 2002, also on his home ground in Cape Town, the big lefthand opener has never ranked among the game's finest stylists.

His stance was cramped, full of awkward angles, but sheer bloodyminded determination has helped compensate for technical shortcomings and made him one of the most difficult of batsmen to bowl at. Smith is the only South African to have scored five double centuries.

There were signs this was coming. The runs were drying up. His form was wobbly. No half centuries for eight innings. His first five innings of this series had produced only 42 runs.

He had been considering retirement since ankle surgery last year. A month ago came a clear hint that the end was nigh. He posted a picture on Instagram of his wife and two young children. The caption read: "Always miss these guys when away ... last one I promise".

When South Africa return to Australia in November, their top six will be very different. Their under 19 World Cup win last week suggests good things are happening, but filling two pairs of size 12s, who have been rocks for over a decade, won't be achieved overnight.

Under him, South Africa won 53 tests. In those matches, Smith's average leaped to 61. None of his 27 centuries was scored in a defeat.

South Africa have invariably had fine players, but among the skills of good leadership is getting the best out of the talent at his disposal. On that score, Smith was a champion.