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The Brave Hearts
'tornado' Charlie Griffith was bowling with all the strength and power at his command. He was being faced at the crease by the gentleman - cricketer and India's opening batsman and left hander, Nari Contractor. The fourth ball of the second over was delivered devastatingly, as if it was meant to end the brilliant career of the Indian skipper. The ball hit the batsman an inch above his right ear, with such a thud that the
Nariman Contractor spectators could hear the sound of the thud. The batsman's temple had stopped the ball – the hit was 900 with a maximum impact. Nariman collapsed on the ground like a tall tree that had been uprooted by a cyclone. Blood started oozing from his nose and ear. Within seconds an ambulance arrived on the scene.
The Indian players continued with the match, though with a heavy heart. They were greatly concerned about the health of their captain.
The first medical bulletin that was issued on Contractor's condition said that there was nothing much to worry about. But thereafter his condition started deteriorating and the second bulletin carried a shocking statement that Contractor had suffered a hemorrhage and that his left side was showing signs of paralysis. It was feared that he might be suffering from concussion of the brain. The specialist neurosurgeon was not immediately available because he lived on another island, Trinidad. It was risky to wait till he arrived. Hence the surgeon who was immediately available on the island of Barbados started giving the patient necessary treatment and removed
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