Waugh zone (14 June 1999)

14 June 1999

Waugh zone

By Colin Croft

Sections of the media made fools of themselves last week pretending that the game between Indian and Pakistan was set to be a pitched battle, when it was nothing more, or less, than a cricket match. But sometimes, in this time of continuing international conflict, wars and rumours of war, it is not altogether inappropriate to make an analogy between cricket, war and violent uprisings. Somehow, sometimes, they seem to have some of the same characteristics. This last match of the Super Six series between Australia and South Africa was one such occasion.

If Steve Waugh, the Australian cricket captain, had been a professional soldier, he certainly would have been at least a four star General, perhaps even a five star General, the highest proper military achievement there could be. However, he is not the sort to have trained at the renowned school of soldiering at Sandhurst in the UK or even the brilliant Virginia Military Institute of the US of A.

Steve Waugh would have been more like that real World War 2 hero, and tremendous Western film star, cowboy Audie Murphy. Audie Murphy is still, even in these days of bejewelled chests and pumped-up egos, the most decorated soldier ever to have served in the United States armed services. Almost every promotion that Audie Murphy received was acquired in the trenches of war, among the blood and guts. Waugh Snr. would have been the same sort of soldier as Murphy. Forget the finesse, he's all about raw blood, guts, determination and 100% effort, determined to win at all costs, come what may.

"Old muck and mire" Steve Waugh personally showed some of the greatest fighting qualities ever seen or experienced in cricket circles when his team played, and eventually beat South Africa, in that last Super Six game at Leeds. When his team was 48-3, Australia seemed that to have lost the plot.

It was a do-or-die effort for Waugh and the Australians; either win and stay in the race for the 1999 Cricket World Cup trophy by getting to the semi-finals, or lose and head home on QANTAS Flight 001. It seems that perhaps Steve Waugh did not fancy the long, and probably dreary, certainly unhappy, flight to Sydney, so he took the responsibility on his own head to keep his team's hopes high and his country's flag flying.

Steve Waugh's innings of 120 not out in only 110 balls, including 10 fours and 2 sixes, was astounding, to say the least. For those who saw the innings at Leeds, I am sure that it was easily evident that no-one had ever seen Steve Waugh in such a destructive mood. He hit the ball harder and with more authority than ever before. It was as if Steve had violence in his mind every time he played a stroke. Many of his strokes could only be described as bludgeoning, with little or no finesse at all, but they were very effective. The end, though, justifies the means. No half measures for this tough guy.

Many have suggested that perhaps India's Sachin Tendulkar or Brian Lara of the West Indies may be the best batsman in the world. This is as maybe. Both have great flair and strokeplay and must be appreciated.

However, and I have said this many times before, that while the exploits of these two brilliant batsmen can easily be appreciated, the batsman I would employ if he had to bat for my life must be Steven Waugh of Australia. No fanciness for this rough and tough Australian. He just gets the job done, come what may!!

All or nothing it is for the Australians. Win at all costs or go down in flames trying. If South Africa thought that the Australians, and especially Steve Waugh, had lost the will to fight, after a somewhat indifferent start to the competition, or would go out of the competition without scrapping, gouging, decapitation and general blood-letting, they really do not know the Australians. Australian cricketers do not mind being hurt, so long as they can hurt the opposition more.

When the final winning run against South Africa was completed, Steve Waugh actually punched the air as if the final grenade had blown up in Hanse Cronje's face, destroying the South African armour plating and aura of invincibility. It was very obvious that Steve Waugh was extremely pleased with his own part in the success and the passage of his team into the semi-finals.

In the news conference he said: "We did not come to the World Cup to lose. We had a bit of luck against South Africa, but we rode our luck; my luck, I suppose; and managed to pull through. When I was on 50 not out, I even managed to think of all of those who had written us off. That gave me some inspiration as I wanted to make them liars of themselves. I also thought of all of the people back home in Australia whom we would have had to explain our failure to if we did not qualify for the semi-finals. It would have been very difficult to explain this to them."

After listening to Steve Waugh, and as a former West Indian cricketer and always a West Indian, I really could not help but think about Brian Lara, the West Indies cricket captain. If only Lara could have had such continuing uncomplicated ambitions and commitment for his own and the West Indies' cricket as Steve Waugh has for his and Australia's cricket. I even wonder if Lara and his crew have managed to apologise to the West Indian people yet for their poor showing here.