Bowlers can prosper with right conditions - Smith

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South African captain Graeme Smith believes bowlers could play as big a role as batsmen at the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup cricket his nation is hosting from September 11.

"I'm unsure whether batsmen are going to totally dominate. No one really knows what conditions are going to be like at this time of year," Smith told reporters in Johannesburg on Monday.

"If they are good, then batsmen could have a field day because the ball travels far up here on the Highveld and our stadiums are smaller than elsewhere in the world.

"But bowlers' skills are improving all the time and with slower balls and bouncers coming into play, I think they could have a big say as well,"

South Africa will open the tournament with a match against the West Indies in Johannesburg and Smith said his team was excited about launching a new format of the game on an international scale.

"We're very excited, especially since we're hosting this inaugural tournament which is an awesome opportunity," he added.

"From when one-day cricket started until now, it has developed a lot and it's a far different game now than when it began.

"Twenty20 is just starting now and everything will be different. Tactics will obviously be important and teams are going to have to show some imagination, players who are unorthodox and can think on their feet will be crucial.

"Captains will need to trust their players and allow them to go out and play."