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Smith backs fellow skippers
South Africa captain Graeme Smith has backed both Paul Collingwood and Daniel Vettori following the controversial fourth ODI between England and New Zealand.
Collingwood and Vettori exchanged angry words after the game at The Oval, with the Black Caps furious over the run out of Grant Elliott during their one-wicket victory.
However, Smith feels that both men did their best to maintain the spirit of the game.
He told Sky Sports News: "I feel for both sides in terms of what's been going on and both have been quite manly in terms of apologising and owning up.
"All of us are trying to make the spirit of cricket better. It's been an interesting topic in our team.
"I guess no-one did it on purpose, including Ryan Sidebottom, and maybe that's what affected Collingwood's decision.
"There's a lot of pressure on players to win these days. Maybe that's what it is more than anything. Players certainly do feel that.
"But as stakeholders in the game it is our responsibility to take care of the spirit of the game. I think the spirit of cricket will remain and the ICC will help to ensure that."
