Survival of the last wicket was the need of the hour. He was playing with a loose bottom hand as he broke his finger in the first innings of the last match, and he was virtually out of the match until he had to come to bat. Walking in at number 11 was probably the first and the last time he would have had come to bat. Makhaya Ntini gave a good support at the other end.
11 balls to survive was the last equation. Inside edge of the bat and sound of the timber made the Australians cry out of joy as they won the match of the already lost series. Magical moment for Mitchell Johnson one can say as he as able to convert the most certain draw into a victory.
All praises for the captain Smith as it takes lots of courage to bat with a broken finger as one can understand the pain one has to go through in the case of such injuries. No pain is greater when it comes to play for the country.
If we refresh our memories, same courage of the sorts was shown by our former cricket captain who retired in the series against the Aussies. Yes Anil Kumble had come to bowl with the broken Jaw and took the priced wicket of Brian Lara.
While such thing happens on the cricket field, there is a thick layer of pride that floats in the air and the result of the match if it goes in the direction that’s not desired (a loss) seldom hurts.
