CAPTAIN COURAGEOUS
It was a beginning of the end of an era – an era of supremacy and dominance by the Aussies in world Cricket. And who better than the proteas to give them back, what only they have always done? It was a good 3 match series right from the start (even though Dale Steyn and Mitchel Johnson aggregated more runs than hayden!). If one could recollect, Ponting, as always, did the talking, even before the first ball was bowled. And for me, it felt heartening when I saw him score a golden duck – his first ball of the series! (I was more happy because a possible contender to cross Sachin’s record got out without scoring!) On the contrary, one man was silent. He’d spoken enough the last time to not back that up with performance. Eventually, his silence won proving “action speaks louder than words”. This blog is about that one brave man (also).
Many would say Sourav’s 144 at Brisbane set the tone for that series down under in 2004. Similarly, or even better, Smith’s 108 in the first match (2nd innings) set the tone for this wonderful years. Chasing 414 in the 4th innings is not an everyday happening. It involved more. It needed the grit and the resolve. It becomes special when it comes from the captain himself! The chase overshadowed India’s successful chase of 387 achieved only a few days earlier. And why not? The second match was a typical 5-day match. But what a rear-guard action from Duminy and Steyn! (Duminy was only playing the second match of his career.) What a match for Dale Steyn! His fifer in the 2nd innings gave his team the winning edge and Smith ensured they were home with a well-made 75. I read somewhere that he’s scored the most in the 4th innings of tests that are won. More than anything else, the series was won. Graeme Smith has led his country for their first series victory in Australia! This match had more evidences of his astute leadership as well. Smith Gone. Icon Born!
The third match was only of statistical importance, but Smith would not give in. It was said that Smith who suffered an injury would not be available for the ODIs. He coveted for something else – The No.1 status if South Africa were to win the 3rd match. Unfortunately, he got hurt in the 1st innings after scoring 30 odd runs and didn’t come back even as the proteas were all out conceding a lead of about 120 runs. Many thought he’s done with this series. I too did. I presume Ponting too did! Having already lost the series 0-2, he went for the jugular when he set the proteas a target of 375 in about 110 overs. He should’ve had Smith’s absence in mind too ‘cos he would’ve known from the 1st test that SA can chase high scores. On the 4th day evening, Smith himself would’ve laughed off any thoughts of his batting in the 2nd essay of the match.
Came Day 5. All hopes relied on Amla and De Villiers, but no partnership stood the length of the time. There were only moments when both of them scored their fifties but they could not carry along. I lost hope (as would many have) when De Villiers was became the 7th man to return. Soon, Harris followed. It was left to the bowlers – Steyn and Ntini - to face the music for about 25 overs.
The tail wagged! It wagged for a long time. Ponting need not have gone in search of a more frustrated man than better see himself on a mirror! The two bowlers batted out almost 17 overs when Steyn got out. It could’ve been a dramatic moment. The aussies celebrated but could not avoid seeing the South African dressing room. Technically 50 more balls remained to be bowled but there was also a wicket to take! The suspense broke out in a few seconds when Smith walked out to the middle amidst huge cheers from supportes – inside the ground and those watching on their Television (or computers). No doubt his bravery was stamped immediately. Here was a man who got his arm broken only a couple of days ago but now in the middle to save his team from the jaws of defeat. That spoke volumes of the person he is.
I presume he could’ve been in a dilemma whether to take the strike himself or allow Ntini who’d managed to protect his wicket for quite a long time than usual. In the process, however, Ntini managed to clock the maximum amount of time he’d ever played in an innings! Ponting brought on his fast men. I wonder if he did that on purpose. On the other end, though, Ntini survived a chance when hayden dropped him. The next over, a Johnson delivery cut back in to disarrange Smith’s stumps and the battle was over. By then he’d played 17 balls for his 3 runs. Australia won the match by 103 runs. They’d avoided the ignominy of a whitewash and also retained their no 1 rank with that win.
Unfortunately he could not accomplish what he wanted (Or what a non-australian supporter wanted J). Had he survived only 10 more balls…! It was later revealed that he did not even bring his cricketing gear to the ground and had to borrow from his teammates! Such people are very few. I wish this finds a suitable place in Cricketing history. I can only relate to only one person in the last 20 years. It may not be a difficult guess, though. One man who was more silent and composed and admired by fans all over. The man, face wrapped in a bandage, after sustaining a bleeding Jaw, came out to bowl 14 overs during May 2002 and even got a wicket…the Wicket of Brian Lara and the bowler is none other than Anil Kumble.
Many would say Sourav’s 144 at Brisbane set the tone for that series down under in 2004. Similarly, or even better, Smith’s 108 in the first match (2nd innings) set the tone for this wonderful years. Chasing 414 in the 4th innings is not an everyday happening. It involved more. It needed the grit and the resolve. It becomes special when it comes from the captain himself! The chase overshadowed India’s successful chase of 387 achieved only a few days earlier. And why not? The second match was a typical 5-day match. But what a rear-guard action from Duminy and Steyn! (Duminy was only playing the second match of his career.) What a match for Dale Steyn! His fifer in the 2nd innings gave his team the winning edge and Smith ensured they were home with a well-made 75. I read somewhere that he’s scored the most in the 4th innings of tests that are won. More than anything else, the series was won. Graeme Smith has led his country for their first series victory in Australia! This match had more evidences of his astute leadership as well. Smith Gone. Icon Born!
The third match was only of statistical importance, but Smith would not give in. It was said that Smith who suffered an injury would not be available for the ODIs. He coveted for something else – The No.1 status if South Africa were to win the 3rd match. Unfortunately, he got hurt in the 1st innings after scoring 30 odd runs and didn’t come back even as the proteas were all out conceding a lead of about 120 runs. Many thought he’s done with this series. I too did. I presume Ponting too did! Having already lost the series 0-2, he went for the jugular when he set the proteas a target of 375 in about 110 overs. He should’ve had Smith’s absence in mind too ‘cos he would’ve known from the 1st test that SA can chase high scores. On the 4th day evening, Smith himself would’ve laughed off any thoughts of his batting in the 2nd essay of the match.
Came Day 5. All hopes relied on Amla and De Villiers, but no partnership stood the length of the time. There were only moments when both of them scored their fifties but they could not carry along. I lost hope (as would many have) when De Villiers was became the 7th man to return. Soon, Harris followed. It was left to the bowlers – Steyn and Ntini - to face the music for about 25 overs.
The tail wagged! It wagged for a long time. Ponting need not have gone in search of a more frustrated man than better see himself on a mirror! The two bowlers batted out almost 17 overs when Steyn got out. It could’ve been a dramatic moment. The aussies celebrated but could not avoid seeing the South African dressing room. Technically 50 more balls remained to be bowled but there was also a wicket to take! The suspense broke out in a few seconds when Smith walked out to the middle amidst huge cheers from supportes – inside the ground and those watching on their Television (or computers). No doubt his bravery was stamped immediately. Here was a man who got his arm broken only a couple of days ago but now in the middle to save his team from the jaws of defeat. That spoke volumes of the person he is.
I presume he could’ve been in a dilemma whether to take the strike himself or allow Ntini who’d managed to protect his wicket for quite a long time than usual. In the process, however, Ntini managed to clock the maximum amount of time he’d ever played in an innings! Ponting brought on his fast men. I wonder if he did that on purpose. On the other end, though, Ntini survived a chance when hayden dropped him. The next over, a Johnson delivery cut back in to disarrange Smith’s stumps and the battle was over. By then he’d played 17 balls for his 3 runs. Australia won the match by 103 runs. They’d avoided the ignominy of a whitewash and also retained their no 1 rank with that win.
Unfortunately he could not accomplish what he wanted (Or what a non-australian supporter wanted J). Had he survived only 10 more balls…! It was later revealed that he did not even bring his cricketing gear to the ground and had to borrow from his teammates! Such people are very few. I wish this finds a suitable place in Cricketing history. I can only relate to only one person in the last 20 years. It may not be a difficult guess, though. One man who was more silent and composed and admired by fans all over. The man, face wrapped in a bandage, after sustaining a bleeding Jaw, came out to bowl 14 overs during May 2002 and even got a wicket…the Wicket of Brian Lara and the bowler is none other than Anil Kumble.
Labels: Cricket, South Africa Vs Australia
posted by Mukunth @ 2:30 AM
2 comments
