Graeme Smith Retires - Feature

A legend leaves his battle field

 

The former South African cricket captain, Graeme Smith announced his retirement on the 5^th of March 2014. The shock announcement said that he would be quitting international cricket once their Test match against Australia was completed.

 

Graeme Smith, whose full name is Graeme Craig Smith and nicknamed Biff, was the left handed opening batsman and South African Test captain.

 

The 33-year-old captain had lead the South African cricket team in 108 Test matches and played 347 games for the country, scoring over 17 000 runs from the opener position.

 

Many memorable moments come to mind of our now former cricket captain. One being the unforgettable memories he made in 277 vs England, Birmingham 2003. This still remains very memorable even though its quite overused. To be able to attain South Africa's highest individual score at the stage when he was only in his third innings as captain, shows that he paved the way for a million dollar career. He then proved that it was no magic streak with 259 in the next Test.

 

Another unforgettable memory is the SA vs Australia match which took place in Sydney in 2009. With Smith being described as the “ bravest man in world cricket”, batting with a broken left hand at No11, he managed to keep out 16 deliveries before Mitchell Johnson bowled him 10 balls short of what would have a been tremendous draw.

 

With South Africa being rated the worlds No.1 in Test cricket, it was a shocker that they faced serious defeat against the Australians with the series sitting at a draw stage of 1-1 going into the game at Newlands.

 

On the third day, after Mitchell Johnson and Ryan Harris bowled Australia into the winning position,Smith was dismissed for only five runs. It was after the days game that he had broke his long awaited retirement news to his teammates. “ This has been the most difficult decision I have ever had to make in my life” said smith. ‘ its a decision I have been considering since my ankle surgery in April last year.

 

Smith also said that he has a young family to consider while being married to Irish singer Morgan Deane and being a new dad of only two years to their daughter, Cadence Christine Smith who was born in July 2012.

 

Smith also admitted that he felt retiring at Newlands would be the best way to end it as he has called the place home since the tender age of 18. South African cricket fans who really appreciated Graeme, wish him well for the years to come and also thank him for always having his eye on the ball and his heart on the trophy for his country.