I’ve been surprised that a lot of people are crediting Mitchell Johnson, for our recent 281 run defeat at the hands of Australia.

I don’t really understand what they’re talking about. It was obvious to me that we lost because of the pitch.

If Australia had to play on that pitch, they would have struggled too.

Unfortunately for us, Australia got to bat on a perfect batting pitch that only got better as the test went on.

That’s just the way cricket works. I'm afraid. If only teams played on the same pitch it would be easier to judge a winner.

The pitch we played on was always going to get harder to bat on the longer the match went. It’s why I elected to bowl first when I won the toss.

I’m not saying Mitch didn’t play OK, but 12 wickets for 127 runs are hardly amazing figures.

As for me, I thought I did well on this pitch, contributing a solid 14 runs in total.

Luckily for us and not so luckily for Mitch and the Australians, they won’t get that sort of pitch every match.

Just that thought has the Aussies on the back foot and I don’t think they can overcome the mental scars of not having that pitch every game.

We’re a shoe in for the next one.

I hope that clears everything up.

Graeme Smith