Chennai, Feb 11: Playing down South Africa’s past record in the ICC World Cup, captain Graeme Smith on Friday exuded confidence that his team had the ability to go all the way in the 2011 edition. Smith believed that his team had the best variety in the bowling department and that the youngsters were keen to rewrite the books this time around.

Smith felt that the balance of the team and maintaining high standards on the field would be the key to success in the tournament. He also emphasised the importance of playing spin bowling well in order to excel in the subcontinent.

Excerpts from a media interaction

On the changes his team had gone through since the last edition of the CWC

I think if we look back to the 2007 [ICC Cricket World Cup] edition, we definitely have got more pace in our attack at the moment. We have got two left-armers and three frontline spinners and then a couple of part-timers. Talking about the bowling point of view, we have come to these conditions with most variety. So from the selection point of view we will go to each game with slightly different options available to us and depending on the conditions we will have all our bases covered.

On having been unable to win any major ICC tournament

I think let us not point hard on the fact that we have not won one of these ICC tournaments. I think we have come here with a lot of energy and good preparation. There are a lot of young guys who are really excited to have this opportunity in the squad. A few fresh faces. At the end of the day it is going to be a tense tournament, exciting tournament and there is a lot of cricket to be played. So one needs to peak at the right time and get a little bit of luck. But if we get some runs going, some confidence going, then the team is capable of being successful over here.

On India being tournament co-hosts

To be fair India is India. I don’t think I have ever come here without a vibe and a passion about the game. I think the people over here are excited about hosting another World Cup. I think as a cricketer it is a dream come true to play the World Cup in the most passionate area of the game. To experience the crowds, especially for the young guys, will be a dream come true.

On the team’s strategy

I think one needs to sustain good performance for a lengthy period of time. The World Cup is of almost 50 odd days so I think it is difficult to maintain a high level of standards. I think balance is always the key [as also] making [the] most of your downtime and [being] ready for the game when they come around in the round robin stage. It is always going to come to the performance on the field.

On the Powerplays

I think it depends on your team and how you set [it] up. I think the first Powerplay upfront of 15 overs has been there for a long time now and the teams are well prepared in those areas. I think the Powerplay 3 will be the key moment in the game. The way you execute it with the bat and the ball is going to be key. In the sub-continent, with lots of spinners bowling in that period, it will be crucial to play them in these conditions.

On Jacques Kallis

I don’t think there is any need to expose Jacques [Kallis] too early. He is coming around very well. He had full nets today and he has started bowling again. He is progressing very well for us. But I don’t feel the need to put him under pressure to be a 100 per cent tomorrow. We will manage him and we have medical staff who are in charge of that now. Through the warm-up games we will manage that decision.

When you have a world class all-rounder like Jacques it allows you so many options to attack in your Playing XI. And that has been one of the reasons of doing well.

On his tenure as captain of South Africa

I think cricket [in South Africa] is fairly young in terms of re-admission into sports. It is a fairly young body compared to the other nations who have been in the sports for a long time. Also, for me, you know, taking over when I was 22, the first three or four years were a bit inconsistent. From my perspective there were a lot of things to be put into place to provide consistency and good structures around the team. So I think it has been a very important phase.

On his last ODI tournament as captain

Hopefully [we will win] a World Cup trophy, a World Cup final and that is what we are probably here for. It is always different challenges you face on any given day. I think for me [the aim is] to be as consistent as I can with the guys. And hopefully I can lead from the front - that will be the key. Our boys have managed to do it throughout my career and it will be nice to finish on that note. The biggest thing one can do as captain is really trust your guys and give them a lot of confidence to play well. And that is going to be my challenge. And if we can do that then there is a lot of talent in the squad and who knows what this team can do?