The shocking death of Phil Hughes has rocked the cricket community.
Now more than ever we are aware of the dangers of head injuries in sport and the cruelest irony of Hughes passing is that he did everything right in regards to protection of the head.
Hughes’ death puts in perspective how stupid Pries Morgan was in Melbourne last year, but that is a separate issue entirely.
In the current climate of melancholy and respect it’s tough for anybody to take notice of what’s happening in the actual game at present.
Yesterday however Brendon McCullum made people take notice of the game again as he reinforced the importance of carrying on. McCullum smashed an historic and swashbuckling century for New Zealand, against the odds, in Sharjah verses Pakistan.
Pakistan resumed on 281-3. Initially New Zealand bowled without heart, resigned to another day of chasing leather in oppressive heat. Then from nowhere rookie spinner Mark Craig, sneered 7-94 and the redoubtable Pakistan batting folded like a deck of cards, all out for 351.
New Zealand started their innings like a freight train by scoring 61 runs in the first 10 overs. Since 2001, this is the only instance of New Zealand scoring at six runs per over in the first 10 overs of a Test innings.
New Zealand belted four sixes in the first 10 overs. Since 2001, this is the second-most sixes hit by any team in the first 10 overs of an innings.
The West Indies hit six sixes in the first 10 overs against New Zealand earlier this year.
Todd Latham was dismissed, but on went McCullum. With typically stylish stroke play and disdain for convention McCullum flogged the Pakistan bowling. He reached a century in 78 balls, the fastest by a New Zealand batsman. The earlier record was 81 balls, by Ross Taylor versus Australia, in 2010.
But McCullum wasn’t done.
Supported by Kane Williamson, New Zealand added 198 runs unbroken for the second wicket; the highest partnership for New Zealand against Pakistan for any wicket, the third-highest second-wicket stand for New Zealand, and the 10th-highest against Pakistan by any team.
At stumps New Zealand was 249-1 after 45 overs. McCullum had made 153 off 145 balls with 17 fours and eight sixes.
McCullum’s defiance, spirit and skill was not entirely dissimilar from that shown by Bert Sutcliffe and Bob Blair against South Africa in 1953.
On December 24 that year, the Tangiwai rail disaster occurred. At the time it was the world’s eighth-deadliest rail disaster – claiming 151 victims, including Blair’s fiancée, Nerissa Love.
Earlier that day South Africa had terrorised New Zealand. Bert Sutcliffe and Lawrie Miller were both forced to retire hurt after being hit by bouncers from the fiery fast bowler Neil Adcock; John Reid was struck five times before being dismissed for three.
With the visitors reduced to 81 for 6, Sutcliffe returned to the crease, his forehead swathed in bandages.
On December 26, when the match resumed after a break for Christmas, the ninth wicket fell at 154. The players began to leave the field. Suddenly the crowd stood in silence as Blair emerged from the tunnel and was greeted by Sutcliffe, who placed a comforting arm around his shoulder.
What followed was sensational.
The pair smashed 25 runs (including four sixes – three by Sutcliffe and one by Blair) off a single over from South Africa’s Hugh Tayfield. By the time Blair was dismissed, the team’s total had climbed to 187, with Sutcliffe 80 not out.
New Zealand lost the test, but that was hardly relevant. Blair and Sutcliffe were lorded for their bravery in the face of tremendous adversity and rightly so.
McCullum might not have lost an intimate relation this week, but he has reminded sports fans that even in times of utter despair, sport can arouse emotions of sanctification and fight like few other things can.
What a knock. Thank you, Brendon McCullum.
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