South African captain Graeme Smith on Saturday said he had gambled by sending Andrew Hall to open the innings and was pleased that the move had paid dividends as the batsman had put the team in a comfortable position in the first cricket Test against India.
"It was definitely a risk we took, but he (Hall) showed tremendous patience and discipline to put us in this position," Smith said after the first' day's play which saw South Africa reaching 230 for four.
"We thought we will do something different and surprise the opposition. We have seven batsmen in the team and so it was worth taking the risk. At the end of the day, he is still batting and that's good for us," he said.
The right-handed Hall came out to open the innings with his captain and was unbeaten on 78 at close of play.
"He is a strokemaker, but I am really impressed with the discipline he showed today. He did not take any risks at all," he said.
The South African skipper defended his team's slow scoring rate saying it was not easy to score at a brisk pace in sub-continental conditions unlike in Australia where the ball comes onto the bat.
"It is not very easy to score at a brisk pace in India where the wickets are much slower. You have to graft for the runs. But I am pleased the way we batted today as you can't expect to score three or four runs an over here. It is not that easy.
"The guys had a really good day. We lost quick wickets at the end of the first and second sessions but we fought back well," he said.
Smith said his team will now try to get a big first innings total which could put pressure on the hosts.
"We have to push on from here and get a big total, that is very important."
On his dismissal, Smith said "I was a bit unlucky. You play the shot well and still see yourself getting out. I had been dismissed in a similar fashion in Sri Lanka also. I hope this is the only bad luck we will have in the series."
Asked to comment on the track at the Green Park Stadium, the left-handed opener said, "the wicket played quite well.
There was some moisture in the morning, but it was not heavy. I hope it lasts the five days".
On whether he considered himself lucky to have won the toss, he said, "I don't think it was crucial. We have to play good cricket on all the five days. But yes, maybe India would have liked to bat first as they have three spinners in the team".
