Lara praises centurion for much-needed passion

CAPE TOWN: West Indies cricket captain Brian Lara hailed Dwayne Smith as a model young cricketer after the 20-year-old scored a century on debut to help his side draw the Third Test against South Africa yesterday. Smith hit 105 not out at a run-a-ball as West Indies batted through the final day before reaching the close on 354 for five. “It was the innocence of youth and all credit must go to him for the way he played,” Lara told reporters. “It’s good to see the young guys coming in and being very positive — they seem to have the passion for the game. That’s been missing for quite some time. “What I’ve seen from young Smith so far is tremendous. His work ethic is great and that is what you need. You need to prepare yourself properly for Test cricket.”

Smith did not even have a First-Class fifty to his name before the Newlands Test, but became the first West Indian to score a century on debut since Basil Williams against Australia in Guyana in 1977-78. The young Barbados all-rounder said he had tried to play his natural game, despite the pressure of the situation on the last day. “I told myself to be positive and not let anything worry me and that, if I could bat to the end, I could come close to a hundred,” he said. “It’s an achievement for me and me and I’m happy.” South Africa captain Graeme Smith was fulsome in praise of his own team after the draw meant the hosts have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-match series. “I’m very happy,” he said. “We started the series with two fantastic wins. It’s always tough to keep your focus during the festive season but the boys were terrific. “I’m really proud of the way they stood up and were counted. I thought we played really well.”