We are no chokers: Graeme Smith

Montego Bay, Mar 12 (UNI) South Africa skipper Graeme Smith is not as much irritated as he is amused by the chokers tag critics love to attach with the Proteas.

''You can't be the World No. one team and still be called like that,'' he shot back, while addressing a press conference here.

''We sometimes find it quite amusing. That tag was given to us by some individual and it is something we've always struggled to get rid of. A lot of these things are mere speculation,'' he said.

Smith porudly pointed out his team's record in the past couple of years in support of his argument.

''We are the team which has won hugely pressurised games in the last two three years. A team that has performed well under pressure, from tight situations won from where no one gave us any hope,'' he said and added: ''I would say, in our environment that word is quite a laughable one, except when you are eating spare ribs and something gets caught in your throat.'' He made no bones about his happiness over toppling the Australians from the top of the ICC ratings list for ODI teams but said the World Champions would be a real threat to his team.

''Australia have been the team to beat for a number of years. We are hugely proud of the achievement.

''But we don't see them as vulnerable in any way. We have a huge amount of respect for them. We have had success against Australia in one-day cricket of late, but we are certainly not taking them lightly.'' He also agreed with the view that this is a wide open tournament.

''In terms of the World Cup, you do realise there are a number of fantastic teams, they are prepared and can beat you on a given day.'' He, however, was upbeat about South Africa's chances. ''We are motivated and ready. We have a number of match-winners, one reason we have been successful over the last two years. We have always been there in the World Cup but not quite managed to do it.

''This time, there is no doubt in my mind we have the ability to perform well in the World Cup. We have got the players, the environment, we have got the experience and youth. With that you need a bit of luck along the way.'' UNI HSB DH BST1253