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The Roar

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Gallant Graeme and other acts of heroism in the middle

Arguably Graeme Smith's greatest innings was one in which he was out for just three runs. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
Expert
13th September, 2016
18

Test cricket is full of acts of heroism, the never-say-die spirit of players.

As the South African cricketers are due to tour Australia this summer, I remember the Sydney thriller of January 2009 – especially the gallantry of Proteas captain Graeme Smith.

His gutsy innings painted the pink Sydney Test red in the final session.

It was the third and final Test of a series the visitors had already won 2-0 a week ago.

Although a dead rubber, Australia had to win in Sydney to retain their No.1 Test ranking. With Michael Clarke hitting 138, Australia totalled 445. South Africa trailed by 118 runs, and a fast delivery from Mitchell Johnson had put the visiting skipper in hospital with a broken hand.

Ricky Ponting declared Australia’s innings at 4-257, setting South Africa 376 to win.

The home side thought they had won the match when the opponents were 9-257, as Smith was so badly injured that he could not tie his shoe lace, let alone don the pads.

But as only 36 minutes were remaining to salvage a draw, the Smith struggled to the crease in borrowed clothes and his left hand in plaster. The crowd stood and roared.

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The show of grit and leadership lasted 26 minutes, Smith scoring three and adding 15 runs with Makhaya Ntini.

Australia won by 103 runs, but the cheers were for the gallant Graeme.

Steve O’Keefe
In this July’s Kandy Test against Sri Lanka, Australia’s left-arm orthodox bowler Steve O’Keefe was the injured hero.

It was Test cricket at its best; fast scoring at times, with screeching brakes applied in the final two hours.

It was gripping how Australia’s Peter Nevill and the injured O’Keefe stayed together for 105 minutes, scoring only four runs.

It appeared impossible for numbers seven and ten batsmen to survive the last session and a half, especially as the latter had pulled a hamstring the previous day and was to be sent home after the match.

O’Keefe could barely walk, and running was out of the question. Still, he faced 98 balls, and survived 105 agonising minutes against quality bowlers, including Rangana Herath who took 9-103 on a spinner’s paradise.

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Yes, only four runs were added by the gallant pair off 178 balls. Still, I could not move from my seat as Nevill and O’Keefe defended ball after ball as if their lives depended on it.

The score remained steady on 161 for almost 100 cliff-hanging minutes.

In the end, Australia lost by 106 runs, but O’Keefe’s determination should never be forgotten.

Rick McCosker
The Centenary Test between Australia and England on the MCG in March 1977 saw Rick McCosker come out to bat with his jaw wired, face swollen and bandaged.

In the first innings a Bob Willis snorter broke McCosker’s jaw. Despite this, the opener came out to bat in the second innings at No.10, looking like an astronaut walking in space. He batted for an hour, adding 54 runs with Rod Marsh, in a match Australia won by 45.

Dean Jones
The Chennai classic of September 1986 against India was only the second tied Test in history, and will be remembered as Dean Jones’ magnum opus.

In intense heat, Jones hit 210 runs, having looked a spent force after reaching his ton. He was dehydrated and had lost control of his bodily functions, but skipper Allan Border urged him to continue.

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Exhausted after his marathon innings in high humidity, Jones needed a saline drip.

Steve Waugh
In July 1997, Steve Waugh excelled himself in the third Ashes Test in Manchester. On a green-top on the opening day, and with Australia trailing 0-1, ‘Tugga’ reached 108 despite an injury to his right hand.

And when Australia was in disarray at 3-39 in the second innings, he carried on bravely, registering another pugnacious ton.

He could hardly hold the bat, but Australia won to level the series.

Bert Sutcliffe
In the Johannesburg Test against South Africa in December 1953, New Zealand left-hander Bert Sutcliffe was hit on the head by a bouncer from Neil Adcock, the Transvaal terror.

The crack was heard all over the ground, and the Kiwi lay motionless. Many thought he was dead. He fainted on his way to the hospital, bleeding profusely.

With New Zealand at 6-82, he insisted on returning to the match. He smacked a heroic 80 out of 106 in 112 minutes, belting 7 sixes, his second six saved a follow-on.

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