Smith will get a second chance at captaincy soon, and why not?

Test cricket is a game of second chances. Of all the ways in which it imitates life, this is the most subtle as well as the most powerful. A batsman dismissed for nought in the first innings gets a ch

Test cricket is a game of second chances. Of all the ways in which it imitates life, this is the most subtle as well as the most powerful. A batsman dismissed for nought in the first innings gets a chance to score a century in the second; a bowler wicketless at first go can take five before the match is completed. Every player has a chance to redeem himself.

The concept of the second chance is built into our religions based on the undeniable fact that as human beings we make mistakes. We lie, we cheat, we make poor judgements, we play across the line, we misjudge a throw and get run out. We also make amends, compensate, retribute.