South African cricket captain Graeme Smith is said to be "devastated" following the news that Andrew Strauss is to retire from professional cricket.
Strauss was expected to announce his resignation today after a winter and summer during which his side lost their briefly-held status as the world's best test team.
That accolade now belongs to the South Africans who triumphed over England 1-0 in the recent three-match series.
Smith has now seen his victories over England sides draw the curtain down on three captains and is thought to be very upset about it.
"He's devastated. Inconsolable," said a source claiming to be close to the South African skipper.
"He comes along, has a nice game of cricket with these lads and when he beats them they decide they've had enough! What's that all about?
"Graeme's beginning to think they don't like him - Vaughany, Straussy, Hussain...er...y - which is a bit silly, he says. It's only a game, after all."
Our reporter was unable to speak to Mr Smith or his respresentatives this morning, though he says there was the sound of laughter in the side's headquarters following their one-day victory against England yesterday.
