Smith's courage overshadows Australian victory
January 8th 2009 00:05
Graeme Smith, who broke his left hand in the first innings and was also nursing an injured right elbow, batted at number 11 to a round of applause at the SCG as the Proteas went within 10 balls of pulling off one of the greatest escape acts in world cricket.
The captain, along with tail-ender Makhaya Ntini (28 not out), held Australia at bay for 29 minutes before he was bowled by Mitchell Johnson in the penultimate over of a dramatic game.
Smith revealed he had not planned to bat at all but was caught up in the emotion of his team's gutsy rearguard campaign.
"I didn't really expect to go out. Deep inside I didn't really want to get out there," he admitted after Australia's thrilling 103-run win.
"I probably decided 25 overs out, 26 overs out (that I was going to bat).
"I arrived here without any kit and had some pants I'd shoved into my cricket bag to protect my bats.
"I stole a shirt off Jacques (Kallis) and a pullover off Harry (Paul Harris) that still had his hamburger stain on the front left side of it.
"I had Morne (Morkel) dressing me and putting my shoes on and pads.
"I decided I was going to give it a go and give it my best shot and if I got a first-baller or whatever at least I tried.
"Obviously there's a lot of pain. Once one ball hit the bat I thought 'okay, that's one out the way'.
"(I told myself) 'just keep watching the ball and hoping that it hits the bat the whole time'.
"It was about getting out there and doing the best you can."
Smith and Ntini looked to have done enough to stave off defeat before Johnson got one to jag back and bowl the Proteas captain six minutes from stumps.
Smith refused to use his injuries as an excuse for his dismissal.
"He probably would have got me if I had both arms available," he declared. "It cut back off a crack (and) Mitchell has bowled superbly all series.
"I saw they were having a little group meeting just before that over and I was hoping that they were going to give the ball to someone else."
South Africa still took the series 2-1 following victories in Perth and Melbourne and Smith conceded the Sydney Test was one that got away.
"We had our opportunities in the game early on," he said.
"We dropped our catches for the first time in a long time and it probably cost us the game.
"It was part of a great series, this finish, and it sets up a terrific home series in South Africa."
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