Former South African cricketer Graeme Smith is largely recognised as one of the greatest Test captains of all time. The left-handed batter has the record for most Test appearances as captain, managing the Proteas in 109 games and winning 53 of them. While South Africa enjoyed several notable victories under his command, the 2-1 triumph against Australia in the three-Test series in 2008/09 continues to be special for the team; it was South Africa’s first-ever Test series win in the nation.

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Australia had won the series finale in Sydney, but it is best remembered for Smith’s remarkable effort in the second innings. A short-pitched ball from Mitchell Johnson hit Smith’s gloves during the first inning, resulting in a shattered hand and a wounded elbow. Smith was forced to retire injured and did not bat in the second innings until the ninth wicket fell. While many thought Australia had won the match, Smith astonished the Australian team when he made his way into the centre, receiving loud cheers from the Sydney Cricket Ground crowd.

The former South African captain recounted the terrifying story of how he overcame excruciating discomfort in his hand to play as the game’s no.11 hitter.

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“2009 was just an incredible moment and it wasn’t planned at all. I was packed and ready to go home. I had no playing clothing at the ground. We had won in Australia for the first time ever, it was an incredible time, and we were fighting to save the Test on a deteriorating wicket. I remember looking at the guys in the afternoon, they fought so hard. Makhaya was the last man standing and I was sitting there thinking, ‘he looks kinda lonely!’” Smith mentioned during an interview with cricket.com.

“I was thinking, ‘should I? or should I not?’ My hand was in a cast. I went inside and spoke to Mickey Arthur, he was 100 percent yes (should bat). The physio was 100 percent no (shouldn’t bat). The psychologist stood on the fence, giving me the best of both worlds. Eventually, I committed myself to doing it. I went back to the change room,” he continued.

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“I said I’m going to do it. Neil McKenzie came over to help me, I had broken my right knuckle and they did a proper job of casting my hand. I stole Jacques Kallis‘ whites, I had nothing on the ground. I was packed and ready to fly. It was pretty cold and I looked for a jumper, I grabbed Paul Harris’. Neil McKenzie put the right and left pads,” he recalled.

Smith recounted thinking to himself as he prepared to bat, how was he going to?

“The next minute, they were taking the cast off. I was ready to go. Now, it suddenly hit me, ‘how am I actually going to do this? I can’t hold the bat! I was thinking, ‘how do I play the short ball?’” claimed Smith.

Smith then concluded by remarking, “Then I just thought, ‘there’s no right way to do this. I just have to clear my head, hopefully, my body reacts the right way and deals with the pain’. I was walking out to bat, Makhaya was waiting for me and it was the first and only time in my career that he was my senior batting partner! Just incredible.”