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South Africa ’s test skipper, Graeme Smith is all set to retire from international cricket after the end of the final Test against Australia in Cape Town.   The 33-year-old left handed batsman has played 33 Twenty20 internationals, 197 one-day internationals and currently playing his 117th Test match with total 9262 runs an average of 48.49. Smith said in an interview after the third day's play at Newlands, "This has been the most difficult decision I have ever had to make in my life. It's a decision that I have been considering since my ankle surgery in April last year. I have a young family to consider, and I felt that retiring at Newlands would be the best way to end it because I have called this place home since I was 18 years-old." During his captaincy, South Africa became the No.1 Test side in ICC’s rankings in 2012. However, Smith still continue to play for Surrey in County Cricket .

South Africa skipper Graeme Smith has completed 9,000 runs in Test cricket. The 32-year-old opener achieved this milestone when he completed double ton against Pakistan in the second Test in Dubai stadium (UAE) on Thursday. Left-handed batsman, Smith became the 12th player in Test cricket's history to complete 9,000 Test runs and second South African behind Jacques Kallis who has so far scored 13,140 runs in 164 Tests. India's master blaster Sachin Tendulkar leads the all time run scorers in Test cricket, with 15,837 in 198 Tests. Besides Tendulkar, there are two other Indians, three Australians, two South Africans, West Indies and Sri Lanka have scored 9,000 or more runs in Test cricket.

Graeme Smith is all-set to lead South Africa in the Test series against Pakistan in the UAE, starting on October 14. Smith said: " I'm feeling on track and I feel I will be there on the tour. " Fast Bowler  Dale Steyn has been added to the squad after recovering from his injury problem. T20 squad would be announced after the Champions League T20 Cricket tournament. South Africa to play two Tests, followed by five ODIs and two T20s. Test squad Graeme Smith (capt), Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Imran Tahir, Jacques Kallis, Rory Kleinveldt, Morne Morkel, Alviro Petersen, Robin Peterson, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Thami Tsolekile ODI squad AB de Villiers (capt), Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, Ryan McLaren, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Vernon Philander, Graeme Smith, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe

South Africa captain Graeme Smith will rejoin his squad in england for the second Test after attending the birth of his first child. JP Duminy said, " It's always good to have him back, the leader of our team. We're looking forward to having him here again. "

Jacques Kallis has made a comeback to South Africa's 30-man preliminary squad for world T20 in Sri Lanka this September. Graeme Smith has also been included in the 30-man preliminary squad. Squad : AB de Villiers (capt), Hashim Amla, Marchant de Lange, JP Duminy, Farhaan Behardien, Johan Botha, Imran Tahir, Colin Ingram, Robin Peterson, Aaron Phangiso, Jacques Kallis, Rory Kleinveldt, Ryan McLaren, David Miller, Roelof van der Merwe, Morne van Wyk, Faf du Plessis, Reeza Hendricks, Dale Steyn, Rusty Theron, Chris Morris, Justin Ontong, Richard Levi, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Dane Vilas, Wayne Parnell, Alviro Petersen, Graeme Smith.

South Africa's Test captain Graeme Smith will undergo surgery of his left ankle and might miss the entire season of Indian Premier League , CSA team manager Mohammad Moosajee said. " Graeme went to see CSA's ankle specialist in Cape Town on Friday and he confirmed that the best management of the chronic pain in his ankle is surgery, " Moosajee said in a CSA release. " The recovery period after such a surgery usually takes eight to ten weeks, and he will subsequently not be able to represent Pune Warriors at the 2012 edition of the Indian Premier League in India. " Smith said " I'm very disappointed to be missing out on the IPL this year. I was looking forward to my second season with Pune Warriors, especially after my knee set me back last season. "

Johannesburg, October 23, 2011 Opener Jacques Rudolph has return to the South Africa test team after five-year long. South Africa to play two test series against Australia in next month. Rudolph has played last match in August 2006. The chairman of South Africa's selection committee, Andrew Hudson has said in a statement that the Rudolph will start the innings with the captain Graeme Smith . His experience and form would be useful to the team. South African test squad : Graeme Smith (captain), Jacques Rudolph, AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, Mark Boucher, Imran Tahir, Jacques Kallis, Paul Harris, Morne Morkel, Ashwell Prince, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn and Lonwabo Tsotsobe.