27 Feb 2013

SA captain says current side the best

12:03 pm on 27 February 2013

South Africa's cricket captain Graeme Smith, who's been playing for his country since 2002, rates the current side the finest of his generation.

After consolidating their place at the top of the world rankings with a 3-0 test whitewash of Pakistan, Smith said the current side has all the bases covered.

He says the strength of the country's first-class domestic competition has helped fuel success for the test side, and when first choice players have been injured, their replacements have excelled.

The latest example is Kyle Abbott who returned match figures of nine for 68 on his debut in the Proteas victory by an innings and 18 runs over Pakistan in the third test.