Lost and Found: Graeme Smith Finds His 'Stolen' Test Cap After Losing it on Way to Durban

The Christmas break turned into a pain before it was ecstasy again as the South African captain found his prized possession.

graeme smith tongue out cap

Graeme Smith was extremely disappointed upon arriving in Durban for the second Test of the India South Africa series. The reason for it was because he lost his most prized cricket possessed - the much revered Test cap!

Cricket fans will recall that it was some amusement that people watched Steve Waugh, the former Australian captain, walk into the sunset of his career with his baggy green that was tattered to shreds by the time. Cricketers believe the Test cap is the most sacred possession of their cricket careers and constantly work for that elusive dream, which only a few are fortunate enough to experience in their lifetime.

If the Australian player, Brad Hodge, recently expressed his anger over the Australian selections for the Ashes 2010 by suggesting that the Australian Test caps were being given out for free, it only epitomizes the degree to which it is revered which is perhaps it is only after careful thought and consideration on the part of the selectors and tremendous hard work to go with talent on the part of the cricketer that the cap is privileged to change hands.

In that light, Smith has been attached to his Test cap like most other cricketers. The cap with which he made his debut in 2002 was his cherished possession and when he found it missing, he did not waste time but rather even posted on his Twitter page about his sadness at the loss and the desperation to find out with a 'missing my cap' message on Twitter.

However, good news was in store for the South African captain as his cap was discovered, the circumstances of which are unclear. But the delight on Smith's face must have been seen to be believed. Even as South Africa find themselves in a tough spot midway on the second day of the Test, not all is 'lost' for Smith.