Watch: The act that became synonymous with bravery in cricket.

We had seen Kumble bowling with a broken jaw in a test match against West Indies in 2002. It was one of the finest show of one’s courage and dedication for his team in cricket. But there was someone who must have inspired Anil Kumble. There was someone who played with a broken jaw way before him. Who was he?

Rick McCosker was badly hit on his bare face by Willis bouncer on the first day of the centenary test at Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1977. Adding to his woes, the ball fell on the stumps. He was hospitalised for around one and half days. On the third day, he came to the stadium to witness the test match. When he saw Australia’s wicket falling at one end, he decided to walk on to the ground. The first ball he faced was a bouncer and he hooked it for four. A very few players would have even thought of playing a hook shot after being hit of the same. He scored 25 runs in the 2nd innings and helped Geoff Marsh complete his century.

Australia won the test by 45 runs. One can imagine the value of 25 runs that McCosker scored. It was an exemplary show of courage and dedication.