5 cricketers who battled on-field injuries with heroism

Graeme Smith (South Africa vs Australia – 2009)

Graeme Smith sits in the dugout with a broken hand

The South African captain earned respect of the entire cricketing fraternity during the 2009 match vs Australia, which won him the title “bravest man in cricket”. During the final test in Sydney, Aussies put up a total of 394 on the board after the first innings. Smith hammered a 30 to begin the innings but was critically injured when the barreling Mitchell Johnson bowled a thunderbolt his way.

In the second innings, when things looked difficult for South Africa, Smith walked out at no. 11 with a plaster on his broken hand and faced 17 balls until finally Johnson got him out. The Kangaroos won the match but the Proteas skipper won the hearts.