Owing to the intensive nature of cricket, we frequently witness bowlers leaving a match owing to a torn hamstring or muscle, or batsmen taking blows to various body parts.
In the course of the sport's history, there have been numerous instances of players who, despite being hurt, remained to play for the team and made every effort to avoid a loss.
Their bravery will be remembered throughout the cricket community, and young cricketers will undoubtedly get inspiration from it.
Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon recently set another example as he came out to bat in Australia's 2nd innings in the ongoing Ashes second Test after he suffered a calf injury while fielding during England's 1st innings.
In this article, we will take a look at some of the instances in the past where a cricketer put aside their physical well-being for the sake of their country.
MORE: Who will replace Nathan Lyon in Australia's squad for The Ashes?
Anil Kumble (India, vs WI in Antigua, 2002)
This terrifying incident occurred at Antigua in 2002 during the fourth Test match between India and West Indies. A Mervyn Dillon bouncer struck Anil Kumble in the mouth during his six-run knock, forcing him to bat while spewing blood.
India did manage to score a huge total of 513-9 in the first innings, but they were also without the services of experienced spinner Kumble, who was forced to miss the rest of the series due to a jaw injury.
Kumble, to everyone's surprise, stepped out to bowl with a bandaged face and bowled 14 overs, even taking the wicket of the great Brian Lara, despite the fact that his flight was booked for the following day. West Indies posted 629-9 in their 1st innings as the match ended in a draw.
Malcolm Marshall (West Indies, vs ENG in Leeds, 1984)
The incident happened in Leeds, England, during the third Test match between England and the West Indies. On the first morning of the Test, Malcolm Marshall, one of the best fast bowlers in cricket history, broke his thumb twice. He was only able to bowl six overs in the 1st innings as a result.
When West Indies' ninth wicket fell for 290, they had already gained some ground on England after holding them to 270 in the first innings.
Everyone assumed that the innings were over after Marshall's injury. However, Marshall came out to bat and did something that was completely unbelievable, shocking everyone.
He walked out in the middle, smiling despite the injuries. Marshall valiantly fought off the English pacers while batting with one hand, enabling Larry Gomes to reach his century.
Marshall's heroics didn't finish there; to the astonishment of the spectators present, the pacer opened the bowling with Joel Garner. With a scorching performance of fast bowling, he destroyed the English batters, taking 7/53, with England getting bundled out for 159.
West Indies were set a target of 128, which they chased it down with relative ease, winning it by eight wickets.
Graeme Smith (South Africa, vs AUS in Sydney, 2009)
With Australia scoring 445 in the 1st innings, South Africa were off to a great start with Graeme Smith taking the attack to the bowlers, reaching 30 at a brisk pace.
Before he could go any farther, Johnson unleashed a lightning-fast ball that fractured the southpaw's left hand by jarring it. The Proteas team was bowled out for 327 after the injury forced Smith to leave the pitch, giving the hosts a crucial advantage.
In the 2nd innings, the Aussies again batted with confidence, scoring 257-4 and giving the visitors a target of 376. Since the task was never going to be simple, South Africa were reeling at 257-9 with only Smith still to play.
Smith's decision to walk out to bat while wearing a bandage and after receiving injections and painkiller doses shocked the cricketing community to its core. He did wait till 17 balls had passed before a Johnson delivery slipped through his defences and enabled Australia in clinching the Test by 103 runs.
READ: Five greatest knocks by batsmen in ODIs
Shane Watson (Chennai Super Kings, vs MI in Hyderabad, 2019)
The IPL 2019 took place at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. MI posted 149 in their quota of 20 overs after batting first.
Early in the 2nd innings, while batting, Shane Watson dove to get to the crease. The swashbuckling batsman continued to bat despite bleeding from his knee underneath the padding.
Watson made a heroic 59-ball 80 before being run out in the final over, which saw MI upset CSK by one run. The Australian batsman earned a special place in every CSK fan's heart for his valiant performance. He required six stitches after the match.
Gary Kirsten (South Africa, vs Pakistan in Lahore, 2003)
His courageous deed against Pakistan in the 2003 Lahore Test is evidence of Gary Kirsten's tenacious character. One of the all-time quickest bowlers, Shoaib Akhtar, delivered a hard bouncer that the Protean absorbed.
The fierce impact of the delivery sent the grill bouncing off Kirsten's face. The batter immediately collapsed on the ground, heavily bleeding as members from both teams rushed to help.
Due to the impact of the bouncer breaking his nose, Kirsten was forced to leave the game wounded.
However, the former Indian head coach stepped out to bat in the 2nd innings when the South African team was in trouble, scoring a valiant 46 despite having a bruised face.
