IPL experience will come handy in T20 WC :Smith

With not many Twenty20 matches under their belt, South Africa skipper Graeme Smith is looking to cash on their Indian Premier League experience during the World T20 Championship starting here on June 5.

"Most international cricketers have not played a lot of international T20 cricket to date and the 14 matches in the recent Indian Premier League has given them the chance to formulate new ideas and plans for this format of the game," Smith said.

And after watching Jaques Kallis' successful stint in the IPL for Royal Challengers Bangalore team, Smith hopes the all-rounder will continue with the form to become the mainstay of his side in the World Cup.

"He probably is the player with the most to prove. He has worked out how he wants to play this form of the game and he had an excellent Indian Premier League season which means he comes into this tournament full of confidence," Smith said.

Kallis, who was left out of Proteas side for the inaugural edition in 2007, scored 361 runs from 15 matches to help his team finish runner-up.

Stating the current South Africa team the best side he has led till the time, Smith said fusion of youth and experience has made them "Twenty20 fit" and now he is aiming nothing less than the title.

"We have an exciting squad with pace, swing and spin in the bowling department and plenty of depth to our batting. In terms of talent, flair and confidence this is the strongest Proteas' team that I have captained.

"We are very well balanced both in terms of youth and experience and in terms of having all our bases covered regardless of whether the conditions favour swing or spin," he said.