‘I will definitely consider it’: Graeme Smith still sees MCL as possible path back into South Africa fold

Graeme Smith says of the Masters Champions League 'I am happy with where I am in life, but if the tournament goes well' he'll think about resuming his international career, reports Paul Radley.

Graeme Smith shown during a Test against Pakistan in October 2013. Marwan Naamani / AFP

DUBAI // Graeme Smith has reiterated he is still serious about the idea of returning to competitive cricket.

Last month, the former South Africa captain said the Masters Champions League, which starts on Thursday in Dubai, could be a platform for him to make a comeback.

At the time, the Proteas side he captained for 11 years were in the midst of a woeful run of form and on their way to a series defeat by England.

Hashim Amla has since resigned the captaincy, while speculation has suggested his replacement, AB de Villiers, may be eying retirement from the Test game himself.

Masters Champions League: All of The National's MCL T20 preview coverage and reporting in one place

Smith, who retired aged 33 last March, was even drafted in as a short-term consultant ahead of the second Test against England.

He arrived in Dubai this week after commentating on the series in his homeland, and nothing he has seen over the past month had dissuaded him from the idea of a return.

On the same day as South Africa thrashed England by 280 runs to claim the series, Smith said his view remains the same on returning to playing full time.

“My answer hasn’t changed,” Smith said, speaking ahead of the start of the MCL, in which he will captain Virgo Super Kings.

“I am happy with where I am in life, but if the tournament does go well, I enjoy it again and play well, I will definitely consider it.

“Right now I think it would be a brave answer for me to say, ‘Yes’. I want to do as well as possible.”

Herschelle Gibbs, Smith’s former opening colleague for South Africa, said last week he hopes to advertise his services to potential employers in other T20 leagues around the world via the MCL.

Smith said he is just excited about the prospect of getting back on the field.

“It is very difficult to compare now, as we are still in the build up phase,” Smith said.

“Seeing all the other players, there is a lot of excitement and the players want to perform well. I’ve been lucky enough to play in a lot of those other leagues and I’m looking forward to playing in this one.

“It is an opportunity for all of us to get back in and play some good cricket.”

Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE

Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport