Smith is a fool, says Warne

Sydney, Mar 13 (UNI) Graeme Smith might have created history by leading his side to a successfull chase of a World record 434 runs against Australia but for Shane Warne the Proteas skipper remains a ''fool'' whose captaincy lacks imagination.

The veteran leg-spinner questioned Smith's competence as a captain and even went to the extent of calling him a liability for his team.

''We all know what Graeme Smith is like,'' Warne was quoted by the Australian as saying.

''If he's learned any lessons out of Australia -- hopefully he hasn't -- but he might be better off just being quiet and trying to play,'' he said.

Calling the current South African team the worst ever to tour Australia, Warne said as captain Smith needed to own up for the poor show of his team.

''At the end of the day, it was the worst South African team to ever tour Australia. They didn't make the finals of the one-dayers, they lost (the Test series) two-nil and they probably should have lost three-nil.'' ''Smith didn't make a 50 but he just keeps making these outrageous and ridiculous statements and doesn't back it up. He's just making himself look like a fool,'' he said.

Warne's comments are likely to add fuel to the fire in the ongoing war of words between the two sides. The Aussie believes that the Proteas captain has only put his side under pressure ahead of the Test series by calling the Australians ''chokers''.

''With those sort of statements, he's going to end up with egg on his face. I just don't understand why he makes those statements,'' Warne said.

The two teams played out, what many describe as, the ''greates ever one-day match yesterady in which South Africa chased the highest ever ODI score of 434 to win the five-match series. Smith himself scored 90 runs to lead his side in the remarkable run chase.

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