10 Feb 2010

South Africa show maturity with test win

7:32 am on 10 February 2010

The South Africa cricket captain Graeme Smith has hailed the maturity shown by his team in adverse circumstances after they won the opening test match by an innings and six runs against top-ranked India in Nagpur.

South Africa's preparations for the tour were disrupted when long-serving coach Mickey Arthur quit and the entire selection committee were sacked following last month's drawn test series against England at home.

Smith says the test win shows a great deal of professionalism from the players, who've had to step up after a difficult build-up.

The world's top-ranked bowler Dale Steyn lead the way for South Africa, who finished the match with a haul of 10 for 108.

South Africa will wrest back the top ranking if they win the series, with the second and final test match starting in Kolkata on Sunday.