Smith demands an apology

Graeme Smith, the South Africa captain, has demanded an apology from Dwayne Bravo, the West Indian allrounder, after he was cleared of racially abusing Bravo in the fourth Test in Antigua. Smith said that he would take the case further in case the apology wasn't forthcoming.

Smith was charged with breaching the ICC code of conduct after Tony Howard, the West Indian manager, lodged a complaint following Bravo's allegation. But Jeff Crowe, the match referee, found Smith not guilty after a hearing on Wednesday.

In a statement released today, in which the South African board, pledged their full support for their captain, Smith said the matter was not completely over. "I will now ask for a public apology from Dwayne Bravo to end this matter," Smith said. "If none is forthcoming, I shall take the case further."

Gerald Majola, Cricket South Africa's chief executive, added: "I am deeply disappointed by the allegation and, being a good judge of character, I always recognised Graeme to have a sound sense of judgment. Cricket South Africa fully stands by him as captain and wish him well in the one-day series."

South Africa play the first of their five-match one-day series against West Indies at Jamaica on May 7.