Courage in Sport

In recent weeks we have seen a stark contrast between professional sportspeople. The first is Steve Smith who has served time for being captain of a team that cheated in Cricket and missed a year as a result with grace and Nick Kyrgios who had a colossal dummy spit and was fined a record amount with no suspension.

The Australian public is sometimes very forgiving when it comes to the misdemeanours of celebrity. One only need look to the commentary of AFL football to hear the voices of notorious figures from seasons past. At other times the public is very unforgiving. I don't think Kyrgios or Bernard Tomic can come back from their PR disaster in the eyes of the public after variously behaving badly over a number of years.

This article however is about courage. The courage to take ownership of responsibility when things go wrong. Who can forget the tearful press conference as Smith poured out his heart in acknowledging the gravity of the sandpaper scandal. Through the entire suspension period he owned his penalty, never once looking for the easy way out. On his return to cricket he struggled for a while. It looked a struggle to me anyway as he sought to find his identity, his fit, in the culture of not only the group he played for but the group collectively of cricketers internationally.

Fast forward to a sensational spell of fast bowling from Joffra Archer. Many English fans are positively giddy with excitement having in their ranks a fast bowler bowling speeds more often associated with a Brett Lee or a Shoab Akhtar. Standing in their way with 328 runs in 3 innings is the same fellow, Steve Smith.

Now he faces another courage test. Mike Atherton and Nasser Hussain are attempting to pour on the pressure in the English papers questioning whether Smith can be the same player now he has had his invincibility cloak removed by Archer's thunderbolt. The courage will take two forms, one physical, and one mental. Having survived the incident, there is no doubt the mental challenge now is where Justin Langer and his support staff will be focussed. A wise mentor once said to me as a young man that resilience has to come from within. The experience and anguish of going through a soul searching 12 months will hold Smith in very good stead for the challenge ahead.

My belief is that Australia will give a good account of itself in the third test in Smith's absence. One warrior out, one in is a famous catchcry of Alastair Clarkson in the AFL. Justin Langer too is made of stern stuff as is Stephen Waugh. The group will not shrink from adversity. If they are not good enough, they will own it. If they are good enough, they will show it.

When Smith returns, and it is a when, not an if, he will draw on the courage of hard times and the passion to play the sport he so dearly loves. I am not as confident that Kyrgios or Tomic could do the same if they experienced real adversity in their sport. Perhaps adversity is what they need to show the public the courage that they have within. Perhaps then the public would forgive them as they so clearly have forgiven Smith. Through adversity comes strength. I for one can't wait for Smith's triumphant return.