OTD | Graeme Smith’s Lord’s double ton headlines South Africa’s massive win in 2003

It was on this day, August 2 in 2003, when a young South African captain, Graeme Smith, took the world by storm as he smashed England at Lord’s. Intriguingly, Smith became the youngest captain in history when he assumed the team’s command the year after making his debut in 2002.

After Shaun Pollock stepped down as South Africa captain following the humiliation in 2003 World Cup, the selectors and cricket board punted on a young Graeme Smith and named him captain with the responsibility of rebuilding the team. 

His first tough assignment was the tour of England, and Smith led from the front and did not let the strain of captaincy impact his batting. The two successive double hundreds in the Test series against England in 2003 serve as a prime illustration of this.

Despite Smith’s spectacular first innings of 277 from 373 balls, the first game at Birmingham ended in a draw. In the second game at Lord’s, he scored another double hundred, but this time South Africa crossed the finish line.
Smith won the toss at Lord’s and decided to field first. Thanks to Makhaya Ntini’s 5/75 and three wickets by Andrew Hall, England were crushed for 173, with Darren Gough top-scoring with 34 runs.

Smith then ran riot at Lord’s, playing 370 balls, batting 574 minutes, hitting 34 fours, and scoring 259 runs. He added 133 runs for the first wicket with Herschelle Gibbs (49) and a massive 257 runs for the second wicket with Gary Kirsten (108). Smith added a further 123 runs with Boeta Dippenaar, finally falling with South Africa on 513/3.

South Africa proceeded to put on 682/6d on the board. England, trailing by 509 runs, managed 417 runs in their second innings, with Andrew Flintoff making 142 and fifties by Mark Butcher and Nasser Hussain. Makhaya Ntini picked 5/145 and completed 10 wickets in the match, as South Africa won by an innings and 92 runs.

Graeme Smith became the first South African batter to hit a double century at Lord’s and began a brilliant cricketing career that brought him 9265 runs in 117 Tests with 27 centuries and 38 fifties at an average of 48.25.

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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