Steve Waugh: Bevan proved he's the best One-Day batsman in the world

Anand Vasu

April 6, 2001

Sourav Ganguly did not seem like a particularly disappointed man after losing the Pepsi One-Day series 2-3 to Steve Waugh's Australians. Unlike so many times in the past, the Indians fought back well, despite the fact that Australia were in control for the best part of the match. "I'm happy with the way we fought all through the series. The team really played well as a unit with so many different people contributing. VVS Laxman established himself even as Rahul Dravid broke the shackles and showed he could play aggressive cricket. Harbhajan Singh was another big find," said the Indian captain. His opposite number, Steve Waugh was a much relieved man. To go home losing both the Test and One-Day series would have been really disappointing. "As always, we've learnt a lot on this tour of India. The key now is to work on that and come back and win a Test series in the future," he said.

Talking about the final One-Dayer, Ganguly was clear in his mind that India had not done justice, "We fell short by at least 15 or 20 runs. If we had made those extra runs, things could have been different." Adding that there were two crucial phases in the game, the Indian captain felt, "the last 10 overs when we were batting and the first 15 overs when we were bowling really cost us the game. We needed to make more runs in the last 10 overs we played. Also, when we were bowling, we gave away far too many boundaries in the period that the field restrictions applied."

Steve Waugh however said nothing that suggested that the victory was an easy one. "The wicket wasn't really an easy one to bat on, especially batting second. About 250 would have been a comfortable score to chase. Anything more than that was bound to cause problems. On this wicket against spin bowlers we chased 267 and I'm proud of that," said Waugh with a wide grin on his face.

Showering praises on Michael Bevan who made an unbeaten 87, Waugh asserted, "Bevan has proved that he is the best batsmen in the One-Day game. I thought he played a spectacular innings, keeping things together, staying calm and taking the side to victory." Coming from a man who hardly ever shows emotion on a cricket field, that is indeed high praise.

The man of the match, Bevan was as humble as ever, "I always thought we were in with a good chance. With the required run rate less than six an over and a terrific strokemaker like Ian Harvey for company, I was confident that we could do it."

Matthew Hayden, easily the most consistent player in this series walked away with the man of the series award. And deservedly so, being the topscorer of the series despite playing one match less than most of his peers. Extremely restrained and well behaved, Hayden has won many fans in the subcontinent. "I can honestly say I've enjoyed every moment of this tour. I've enjoyed the successes and learnt to enjoy the disappointments as well," said Hayden.

If Steve Waugh and Ganguly did not quite see eye to eye during the course of the series, there one thing that brought them together as the series ended. The recent months of high intensity cricket had taken their toll, leaving the captains longing for a bit of rest. "With the Ashes series a fair bit away, we can look forward to at least five weeks of rest. After a hard tour like this one, that is exactly what the boys need," said the Aussie skipper. Ganguly, for perhaps the first time on this tour, did not contradict his counterpart. "It's been a long hard tour and it will be good to have a break, or should I say a well deserved break," smiled the Indian captain. With that, begins the calm after the storm.

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