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Smith happy under Warne's shadow

April 14, 2009 11:05 IST

Graeme Smith may have led South Africa to the pinnacle in the limited overs cricket but he is still comfortable with Shane Warne in the forefront of the Rajasthan Royals team in the Indian Premier League. 

"I'm happy to be in the background," he said about Warne hogging all the glory in the Twenty20 tournament. 

Smith has also won new fans at home after he batted with a broken finger in the Sydney Test. 

"When I came home, the reception I got . . . that was something special. I've had to come to terms with the fact that with me, there's no balanced view. People either love me or hate me," he said.

Rajasthan Royals captain and coach Warne, who shared a love-hate relationship with the south African crowd during his playing days, also looking to woo fans with the help of Smith. 

"The public have booed me most of the time but, hopefully, playing with the Rajasthan Royals they'll get behind me," Warne was quoted as saying by the Australian Associated Press.

"Hopefully, when I come on to bowl I'll get a clap, or a cheer or whistle. They're pretty vocal over here. They love their cricket. Having Graeme Smith and Morne Morkel in the side will help," he added.

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