Graeme Smith senses that the force is now with South Africa

Power play: Graeme Smith is pleased with the way his team have played but thinks there is much more to come from them
10 April 2012

Captain Graeme Smith believes South Africa can become "a real force" in the World Twenty20 after cruising into the Super Eights with a 59-run win over minnows Afghanistan.

The Proteas now face much tougher tests — they take on New Zealand tonight after their other group rivals, England and Pakistan, meet — but Smith is sure there is much more to come from his side.

"We can still be a lot more convincing than we were against Afghanistan but it was good to see the guys bowl with great intensity and it was a good workout for us," he said.

"We did what we needed to do and now we're in the Super Eights, an important phase of the competition.

"You're always looking for more. I think if we can just carry on a good upward curve, keep improving.

"It's an important phase of the tournament and if we can really hit our strengths now then we can start getting the whole game together.

"If this team can click then we'll really become a real force in this tournament so that's what we're searching for."

Sir Lanka's hopes of winning the trophy have been boosted by Muttiah Muralitharan making surprise progress in his recovery from a groin problem.

On Monday Sri Lanka Cricket announced the spinner was out of the tournament as he would need two to three weeks' rest following his injury against New Zealand.

But captain Kumar Sangakkara said: "We haven't ruled him out completely. We are going to give him a few more days to try and see whether he can get on the park and compete at 100 per cent for us."

Meanwhile, Matt Prior — snubbed by England in favour of Craig Kieswetter for the tournament — scored his first hundred for more than a year in front of national captain Andrew Strauss and selector James Whitaker yesterday.

The batsman-wicketkeeper's unbeaten 123 rescued Sussex, who were dismissed for 217 by Middlesex at Hove.

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