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International Cricket

Graeme Smith reckons South Africa's series win in England was even more impressive given their lack of firepower with the ball.

The Proteas headed into the four-match npower campaign with a much-heralded attack but came out the other end with reputations diminished rather than enhanced.

Of their bowling unit, only Jacques Kallis averaged under 30 while it was not until the final Test that Makhaya Ntini bagged the only five-wicket haul.

Spinner Paul Harris played no more than a holding role while Andre Nel's four wickets came at over 50 apiece.

"We didn't bowl nearly as well as we had expected on this tour," said Smith. "Not having reached anywhere near our potential was disappointing.

"But the fact that we won the series and were 2-0 up after Edgbaston, is heartening for us because we know we have this huge ability to improve and yet we are still winning."

South Africa, who face England Lions twice this week, will welcome back pace spearhead Dale Steyn for the forthcoming NatWest Series following a fractured thumb.

"The loss of Dale Steyn after the second Test was tough," continued Smith. "He has been a huge performer for us during the year, so it will be nice to see him hopefully performing well in the one-dayers."

There are even bigger challenges on the horizon, however, with home and away Test series against Australia beginning in December for a South African team which has currently won five of six unbeaten series stretching back 10 months.

"It just makes us think a little more about what we need to do to beat Australia," said Smith, after claiming this tour victory was his team's year zenith.

"And we have the players to do it.

"It's about getting all things working in the same direction and getting the confidence up.

"There is no doubt that we have got the skills to be a lot better than what we are."