Graeme Craig Smith (born 1 February 1981) is a South African cricket commentator and former cricketer who represented South Africa in all formats of the game. A tall, left-handed opening batsman, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest opening batsmen of his generation and as one of South Africa's most successful captains. Smith led the South African Test side from 2003 until his retirement in 2014, a tenure that included a record 54 Test victories as captain.
| Full name | Graeme Craig Smith |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 1 February 1981 |
| Nationality | South African |
| Batting style | Left-handed opening batsman |
| Test captain | 2003–2014 |
| Test wins as captain | 54 |
| Tests captained | 100+ (only player to captain in 100 Tests) |
| Highest Test score | 277 vs England, Edgbaston (2003) |
| Highest ODI score | 141 vs England, 2009 ICC Champions Trophy |
| Current role | Cricket commentator; SA20 League Commissioner |
Smith emerged in South African cricket in the early 2000s as a dependable left-handed opener. In 2003, at the age of 22, he was appointed captain of the South African national team, succeeding Shaun Pollock and becoming the youngest ever captain in South Africa's cricketing history.
During South Africa's tour of England in 2003, Smith scored double centuries in consecutive Test matches: 277 at Edgbaston and 259 at Lord's, the latter being the highest score made by a foreign player at the venue. On 24 October 2013, he became the second South African and the 12th batsman overall to complete 9,000 Test runs, doing so in his 112th Test.
Smith appeared in his 100th Test against England on 19 July 2012. He captained his 100th career Test match on 1 February 2013 against Pakistan, on his 32nd birthday, and remains the only player to have led a side in 100 Tests. He surpassed the previous record for the most matches as captain when he led South Africa for the 102nd time against England.
Smith's opening combination with Herschelle Gibbs became South Africa's most prolific opening partnership. He has the distinction of having been part of all four of South Africa's opening partnerships exceeding 300 runs. Three of these were with Gibbs, while in 2008 he added 415 for the first wicket with Neil McKenzie against Bangladesh — a world record opening partnership.
Smith's highest score in One Day Internationals, 141 against England during the 2009 ICC Champions Trophy, is the highest score made by a South African at any ICC tournament.
Smith served as the overseas player and captain of Surrey in English county cricket.
On 3 March 2014, during the third Test against Australia, Smith announced his retirement from international cricket.
After retirement, Smith moved into cricket commentary. He was subsequently appointed Commissioner of the SA20 League, South Africa's franchise Twenty20 competition.
Smith is regarded as one of South Africa's greatest captains, both for the longevity of his leadership and for the team's record under his stewardship. His combination of opening batting and captaincy responsibilities, sustained over more than a decade, places him among the most influential figures in modern South African cricket.