Smith admits squad stumped for answers Sapa-AFP South African captain Graeme Smith says he will not be reading the riot act to his squad, despite Tuesday’s 10-wicket defeat to England, which he labelled as one of the lowest points of his career.

Smith’s jaded-looking side were skittled out at Trent Bridge for only 83 as England won with 35.5 overs to spare, and went 2-0 up in the five-match one-day international series ahead of tomorrow’s third game at The Oval. The tourists have injury problems. Smith is doubtful for the match with an elbow injury, and the Morkel brothers, Albie and Morne, have both been struggling with ailments. Smith said: “This is not the time for excuses — we have been outplayed — England are playing with huge motivation and aggression. “We have got to find out what the problem is — we have got a lot of experience and we have got to tap into a bit of that. “We have had times on this tour when we have had to look at each other honestly and find out what mistakes we are making. “I don’t think reading the riot act is going to help,” he said. When asked if it was the worst defeat of his one-day international career, Smith said : “Outside of World Cup semifinals, this is right down there in terms of lows — we did not assess conditions well enough.

“It was not a 280 wicket and that affected how we played. “There was a bit of bounce, but if we could have got 230 we could have put them under pressure. But when you are only chasing 80, you play with freedom.” England captain Kevin Pietersen emphasised he would be trying to keep Matt Prior’s feet on the ground after he equalled a world record with six catches and hit 45 not out after being reinstated in the one-day side three games ago.

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