Centurion, Dec 17: South African captain Graeme Smith praised his batsmen for setting up the game well for the hosts on Day 2 of the first Test against India here on Friday. Smith, who scored a half-century [62], said that the opening wicket partnership of 111 with Alviro Petersen set the tone and then the duo of Jacques Kallis and Hashim Amla used the platform to build on the lead.

Smith also expressed his surprise at bowling India out for 136 in the first innings, saying that although the pitch helped the bowlers, it was his pace attack’s accuracy that helped yield the results.

Excerpts from an end-of-day press interaction.

On Jacques Kallis and Hashim Amla

Yeah, I think it has been a great effort. This morning, after we bowled great 30 overs yesterday, we wrapped up quickly and then I and Alviro [Petersen] started off well and then Jacques [Kallis] and Hash [Hashim Amla] finished a superb day.

On whether he was surprised to bowl India out for a paltry 136

I was very surprised yesterday. I didn’t think the wicket did as much as nine down in 37 overs. We bowled superbly. Our follow-up deliveries were good. We have spoken about execution and keeping a good, calm head with the ball. I thought we executed well.

On whether the track had changed from Day 1

I think the deck was pretty similar [to the one on which] we were batting this morning. Yesterday it was very slow and spongy, double-paced. But I was just watching this afternoon and I thought it had a lot of pace, a lot more carry which I think works well for us in the second innings.

I think the pitch is hardening up now which is good for us. The new ball seems to be carrying on well. It has that tennis ball kind of bounce. It is still in shape and has the movement which I think is good.

On commenting before the series that a No. 1 team needs to win all over the world to hold on to its ranking

Yeah, look there is still a lot of cricket to be played in this Test series. I just believe that as a No. 1 team in the world you need to win away from home as much as you win at home. Australia has set the bar really high when they dominated the world cricket for so long. And that allowed them to hang on to the No. 1 ranking for a long time. I know it is big series and we obviously want to play well throughout. It is nicely set for us and hopefully we can build on [our lead] tomorrow and to close the Test will be nice.

On the weather forecast

Obviously, we just keep an eye [on the weather]. I think they have predicted thundershowers for Sunday. We will see what happens as there is still a lot of time left in this Test match. We definitely would like to move forward with pace. We have scored at a good rate and tomorrow [it’s over to] Hash, Jacques and AB [AB deVilliers] and guys [who] are pretty free flowing batsmen. They will set up a good base and hopefully we can have a go at [India] in the afternoon.

On the pace duo of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel

Yeah, I think after Abu Dhabi there was a lot of talk about the attack. Those two guys are our frontline bowlers. I think at every stage they always put [their skills] up-front and [fulfill] the expectations [of supporters]. To see them bowl well, it gives a lot of confidence for the rest of the series.