'Diplomat' Waugh takes off the gloves (24 August 1999)

24 August 1999

'Diplomat' Waugh takes off the gloves

Trevor Chesterfield

Galle (Sri Lanka) - As World Cup holders there was a local impression Australia might swagger with some arrogant indifference to sub-continental feelings into this tournament. What we have had, however, is Steve Waugh, all too aware of the importance of the diplomatic approach and his comments at the pre-tournament briefing, has set a new tone in relationships between the three sides.

We have had more than enough off-field spirit of bonhomie this past week to have the Aiwa Cup renamed the 'Friendship Series'. Although Waugh, the skipper, as opposed to Waugh the diplomat, did fired a couple of gentle warning shots across the bows of the two opposing sides after the easy win over India on Monday.

Two easy victories has given the distinct impression Australia have picked up their form well enough in their first post World Cup tournament. Even the choice of all-rounder Andrew Symonds who only a couple of weeks ago was on the county circuit had worked out well, giving Australia an extra option at three in the order when it was needed.

"He looked pretty good in the camp at Brisbane and impressed in the nets, so why not give him a chance?"

The frank way the Aussie skipper posed the question was more of a challenge to those who seemed to doubt the reasoning behind the decision which allowed the young all-rounder a chance to prove himself and go on to win the man of the match award with an innings of 68 off as many balls.

Okay, he was not ballet perfect, but he was quick enough to rock back and whip much of the short stuff the Indian bowlers sent down. And as his punchy style demonstrated he quickly overwhelmed the Indian bowlers. They really lost it, as they did on occasions during the World Cup, especially in the Super Six game against New Zealand at Nottingham in June when Venkatesh Prasad's lack of direction was also at a heavy cost to India.

Waugh, displaying the confidence you would expect after two convincing victories at the Galle International Stadium, felt his side had displayed the discipline needed to keep on win matches. He also had some sympathy for Sri Lanka and was generous towards India. The first was a side in transition while the Indians had "not played for a while" which as a generous comment considering the generally disappointing state of the Indian performance.

"Nah . . . I did not think this game (against India) was too easy. The guys gave a really professional performance and I don't think we had any bad moments in the whole game, which was really good to see. "When you play that well you always put a lot of pressure on the opposition and the way Gillespie and Fleming bowled set the tone for the rest of the day," Waugh added. "We are playing well at the moment and the other sides are going to have to play well."

He agreed that he would have preferred to bat first, but as you cannot control the toss, or the weather, there was not too much he could do. "Look, if you are good enough to win you should overcome all such problems, and quite frankly I'd back our side to beat anyone at the moment," he said. Which was fair comment on how the three sides have played so far this tournament.

There is no sign, however, on how long Glenn McGrath is going to be sidelined. He may catch a game later on but there is a Test series after the slogs and knowing the Australians they are likely to place a higher price on winning those than yet another LOI tournament with a trophy to clutter an overloaded trophy cabinet.

Source :: Trevor Chesterfield