Both captains believe Australia’s bout with South Africa in Adelaide was cricket at its brutal best, rejecting calls for playing substitutes in Test matches.

Australian captain Michael Clarke and his South African counterpart Graeme Smith said the injury toll from the drawn second Test in Adelaide was partly what made the sport great.

The hosts lost paceman James Pattinson (ribs), while South African allrounder Jacques Kallis (hamstring) bowled three and a half overs.

Their absences forced mighty workloads on other players – and the captains wouldn’t want it any other way.

“That is the whole challenge of Test cricket really,” Smith said.

“When you watch (Peter) Siddle at the end of his tether, bowling the last 12, 18 balls of the day, to someone who has batted all day, that is what Test cricket is all about really.

“I don’t think there is a sport out there that really tests you for as long mentally and emotionally and skill-wise as Test cricket.

“(Playing substitute) rules like that might soften the blow.

“That is why people who look back over time will be proud of what they achieved because they have been able to handle what this game is all about.”

Clarke agreed, saying physical and mental toughness was a prerequisite at Test level.

“It’s Test cricket, it’s the pinnacle, it’s the hardest game in the world but it’s the greatest game in the world,” Clarke said.

“There is going to be injuries, especially when you have to work as hard as both teams have had to work over the first two Test matches of this series.

“But you have got to find a way … that is how it is, so I accept it.”