Biff’s Last Stand?

Today is Saturday, February 14, 2014. Sometime later today Graeme (Biff) Smith will take his guard to open the innings for South Africa, as he has been doing for over a decade. Most of it as captain. During that decade, the Proteas have repeatedly shown the ability to start the fourth innings in a deep hole, only to dig themselves out, persevere, and hang on for the draw. On a few occasions they have even managed to pull off improbable wins. In all of those Biff lead from the front, laying the foundation on which his team built those impressive achievements.

Of South Africa’s ten highest fourth innings scores, half were scored with Biff in the team. Oddly, two resulted in victory, one in a draw and two in defeat. In those five innings Biff averaged 58.5. Of interest: in one of those defeats Biff didn’t bat, as he had to retire hurt after scoring just two runs in the first innings. As is the name of the man who broke Biff’s hand: Mitchell Johnson. Wonder what he is up to these days? Oh yeah, right.

Today Biff gets the chance to do it once again. Depending on when his opponent, Michael Clarke, decides to declare, Biff might find himself facing the highest fourth innings target yet. Regardless of whether he does, or not, the obstacle this time seems a lot larger than any of the previous challenges. The Proteas have been bowled out for less in recent years, but the batting line-up has not been humiliated like they were in the first innings. Knowing Biff he’ll take it on the chin. He leads by example, and sometimes seems to drag his team to victory by sheer hardegatgeit. His greatest strength and weakness rolled into one.

The beauty of sport, and cricket in particular, is how one individual can change the outcome with a brilliant performance. Lance Klusener at the 1999 World Cup. Biff in all those huge fourth innings totals. Mitchell Johnson in the last few months.
This is shaping up to be Biff’s greatest test to date. Pass it, and a grateful nation will salute him. Fail it, and it will be the beginning of the end of a great career.

Not that the Proteas can afford more retirements right now. But Biff is not going to hang around if he senses his hardegat is about to be crushed…