England v South Africa: Graeme 'Buffalo' Smith, the slayer of captains, arrives in hungry mood It has become a cliché to criticise Smith's closed-face method, but it works. Yes, he throttles his bat handle with a bottom hand that looks as if it is incessantly clamouring for a pay rise. Yes, his feet can appear to be mired in quicksand. Yes, his cover drives often end up at square leg. But it all works. And when he does want to hit the ball through square leg - which is often - he gives it an almighty clout. Against England he averages 57.38 in 18 Tests. In England he averages 72.20. England know the measure of their challenge. Smith very nearly resigned the Test captaincy last year. In August 2010 he had resigned the T20 captaincy, and did the same of the one-day team after last year's World Cup in which South Africa departed at the quarter-final stage. He did not return home with the team, instead going to Ireland to propose to the woman who is now his wife, the singer Morgan Deane. He was pilloried for not facing the music (if you'll excuse the pun!) back home, and new coach Gary Kirsten had to be at his most persuasive for him to remain as Test skipper. Smith was back at Taunton on Saturday, at the county he once helped become Twenty20 champions in 2005. There South Africa will play Somerset in a two-day match starting on Monday. From there they will move to Canterbury and a three-day match against Kent. The first Test is at the Oval on July 19. It will be Smith's 100th Test, although he has played one of those for the ICC World XI against Australia in 2005. South Africa have not lost an away series since 2006 in Sri Lanka, so it was little surprise to hear Smith in confident mood on Saturday: "We come here with a degree of quiet confidence," he said. We've performed away from home for a period of time now. Having had success here in 2008 we are hoping to build on that. Having said that, England are a quality team and throughout the years touring here it has always been difficult to beat them. They have earned respect through their performances. They look a really good, solid team. They are well-drilled and we expect then to execute their plans well. Smith has not played since late March after undergoing ankle surgery. "It's been great to have a break," he admitted. I come here really focused and excited to be on another England tour. He will return home briefly after the first Test, with his wife due to give birth to their first child. "That's the plan," he said. You can't plan nature, though I tied her legs to the roof and laid her upside down when I left! Everything should be fine. South Africa have just been to Switzerland for a three-day team building camp with the renowned explorer, Mike Horn. They mountain-biked, hiked, climbed glaciers and generally bonded. "We were exposed to a lot of things that were out of our comfort zone," said Smith. It was a good three days in terms of breaking mental barriers. We climbed a few mountains, whether it was on the bike or in the snow. For most of the boys it was physically the toughest three days they have had in their careers. You sense that Smith relished it; just as he will the forthcoming challenge with England for No 1 spot in the world.