Top five bravest acts by cricketers on a cricket field

#3. Gary Kirsten: Pakistan vs South Africa at Lahore, 2003-04

Gary Kirsten

In the first Test at Lahore in 2003, South Africa’s captain Graeme Smith won the toss and decided to bat first. Smith and his opening partner Herschelle Gibbs were going along well until the former was dismissed when the score read 52. In walked left hander Gary Kirsten at No 3 and looked in good touch right from the beginning.

Kirsten would go on to have some meaningful partnerships, 32 for the second wicket with Gibbs and 70 for the third wicket with Jacques Kallis. The visitors suffered a severe blow when the well-set Gary Kirsten was hit on the face by a quick short one from Shoaib Akhtar while attempting a pull shot. He was down on his knees and the whole Pakistan team surrounded him to have a look at the batsman. He was forced to retire hurt and later it was found out that Kirsten had a broken nose.

After conceding a first innings lead of 81 to Pakistan, South Africa were struggling in the second innings and when the fourth wicket fell at 149, Gary Kirsten walked out to bat with lots of bruises under his helmet. The left hander showed dogged determination despite the severe pain to grind out 46 tough runs for South Africa.