We mis-read wicket; pitch unfit for international cricket: Smith

Mumbai, Oct 16 (UNI) Graeme Smith today admitted that they mis-read the wicket as ''in the last match, batting first had been difficult, we thought we could win by batting second''.

He, also criticised the wicket, saying that the wicket deteriorated tremendously and was not fit for international cricket.

Smith, speaking after losing the match to New Zealand, admitted that the stumbling block was the New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming. ''If we could have got Fleming early, we could have restricted them to 120 or so, but full credit to Fleming for playing such a wonderful knock.'' Stating that the wicket was a spinner's paradise, he said ''even I could turn the ball square and this type of wicket is not a good advertisement for international cricket''. Smith also did not blame his batsmen for poor shot selection, saying they batted as the wicket allowed them to do. ''We were undone by the wicket,'' he added.

On his team's chances in the tournament now, Smith said to make the semis ''we needed to win two of the three games, and now after losing the first, definitely the pressure has increased, but we will regroup and come out stronger after this''.

Smith also criticised the scheduling of the tournament, saying that they would be now playing after a gap of eight days, ''which is not a good thing in a big tournament like this as it can break your rhythm and players can get distracted''.

Meanwhile, Smith's counterpart Stephen Fleming said that they were dissapointed in not playing out the 50 overs. ''We should have got 230 on the board, but the bowlers responded excellently. I knew the wicket would take further turn in the evening while I was batting and that is what happened''.

''We also needed to get quick breakthroughs at the top of the order and Mills bowled beautifully making it easier for us.'' The bowling hero for the Kiwis, Kylie Mills said that there was more responsibilty on him with the absence of spearhead Shane Bond.

''I wanted to keep things straight and simple maintaining a good line and length. I was happy that I settled into a good rhythm and got the team the early breakthroughs which were required,'' he added.

UNI GS MAZ SAM BST2245