The Ghost and the Darkness!

Its not everyday that I decide to get up at 5 in the morning. The last time I did for some non-official reason was quite some time back. Cricket was back in my dreams. Mostly it would be India playing at some odd hour, in some odd place on earth. This time, it was South Africa.

Many seasons have passed, since Australia started on the decline. I hate Australia especially when they win, because they make the game look one sided and boring. When someone brings on the heat from the other end, it makes for justified watching, even if it meant odd hours. The South Africa - Australia series, was over in the first two games. South Africa beat Australia black, blue and grey - a margin of 2-0. Put it this way, the last match was all but destined to be "dead rubber", a mere formality, for the sake of statistics, records and television viewership.

However, one significant prize was at stake. Australia's Number ONE position at the Test Rankings. Its been like my mom's handbag. Always with her, all the time. Australia finally realised that if they lost this one, the bag was gone. They wanted to desperately hold on to it. South Africa on the other side, wanted to rub it in. They always had ended up losing to the Aussies in close encounters. Had an ill-famed "choker" monkey on their back and desperately needed to throw it out to sink on the Australian shores. They did just that with the series win, but wanted to ensure that they didnt lose the third test.

In modern times, test cricket resembles closely to "war". We dont get to fight the province next to us, no more invaders from other parts of the world. What would have ensued in such a war, would have been extraordinary strategies, starting from the decision to choose the place of war, the time of war and trying to gain advantage by using the best conditions available during the war. Once the fight begins, it would seem like one side is winning. The other side would immediately re-draw its strategy, try to attack another front.. and so on and so forth, till they get bored or they get killed.

Test cricket luckily has no blood to go with it. Its supposed to be some kind of "neatly pressed white shirted" war. Its all mind games and a lot of patience. Watching a test game needs a lot of patience too. Luckily no one got to see wars in real-time. It would have been long, intense and really tiring!

The third test started off poorly for South Africa. Their captain, Smith got hurt and really seemed like he couldnt move his hand, leave alone bat. The team was instantly reduced to 10 men. The rest of the days were like any other, ups and downs, twists and turns. What was going to transpire in the last day was beyond anyone's expectations. 300 odd to win when the umpire said "Play". Wickets started falling. The famed South African batting tumbled unexpectedly. It was left to Makhaya Ntini and Steyn to hold on to their forte and ensure a draw. As the final hour drew close, every one was counting the number of overs, some stated it with the balls to spare.. From nowhere, Steyn got out. Australia had finally got all the 9 wickets they needed. The Australian commentators had been saying the whole 5 days that Smith wont come back to bat and understandably happy saying it too. Now that the 9 needed wickets were taken, the crowd cheered like it was all over. The commentators were heard raising their voices in happiness. Then slowly the camera panned to the South African players room. A huge figure emerged.

Almost from nowhere, in typical poise and style, Smith emerged. The crowd was so stunned that it began to applaud the batsman. The Australian players couldnt believe it. One arm broken & in plaster and a finger injury later, a batsman emerges from the dark of the dressing room. Unconcerned about the fuss around Smith entered the ground to a standing ovation. Watching it from the television set was numbing, inspiring and worth every second. With one active hand, he managed to hold forte for nearly 7 overs before getting clean bowled. Australia did win. The series ended 2-1.

The Australian media, the people and cricet lovers worldwide will remember Smith's valor more than the victory. He emerged as a true "Ghost" out of nowhere and he shone amongst all the "darkness" of mundaness around him. The Australian players could hardly match the power of the spirit he displayed. They were dead dark. A true leader in his own right, Smith's name would become epitomized for the "utopian" leadership skill, which every leader should practice. The ability to lead, even when half dead. Quite similar to the moment when a South Indian hero enters the screen first time in the movie, there were cheers and cheers galore. A truly "legendary" moment for a "superman" bodied sportsman.

Though Smith lost the game, he won the accolades, more than Ponting. The Australian crowd, known for its lack of support to visiting teams, was spontaneous in their applause and appreciation. A single action has inspired a generation of cricket lovers, who will live to tell this tale in the many coming years. If South Africa punish Australia yet again in the upcoming home series, its all about one man inspiring an army. One man with one action will have changed the balance of world cricket forever. And Mom, start looking for a new handbag, will you!