Test appearances record a worthy milestone for durable Waugh

When Steve Waugh takes the field in Guyana for the first Test match of the Australia-West Indies series, he will eclipse Allan Border and become the most capped player in the history of the game.

It is a remarkable achievement and testimony to Waugh's endurance and durability.

To play international cricket for 17 years means not only that you are incredibly talented over a vast stretch of time but that you are also very lucky regarding injuries.

Waugh made his debut against India aged 19 years and six months scoring 13 and five. It was not until his 27th Test, against England, that he posted his first century.

After beginning his career as a bit of a dasher, Waugh restrained himself and became a run accumulator. Many a time he was the backbone of the Australian innings, especially when they were in trouble.

One of Waugh's most memorable knocks was quite apt as it was Brad Hogg's one and only Test match, to date. After making a duck in the first innings, Waugh wanted to make amends in the second. Australia faced a 179-run deficit on the first innings and were four for 78 in the second when he strode to the crease.

In four and a half hours, he fought and scrapped his way to an unbeaten 67 from 221 balls with just five fours. He watched six partners fall at the other end as he dug in tooth and nail for Australia. In the oppressive heat and stifling humidity, Waugh had to single-handedly take on an Anil Kumble who was on top of his game.

Waugh has been repeatedly knocked down but he has got to his feet and risen every time. For 19 months; from April 1991 to November 1992 he was out of the Test team. Sounds like a long time but in reality it was just nine Tests.

He has also missed Tests through injury but for the better part of the last 12 years, Waugh has been the heart and soul of the team, inspiring his team mates, wanting them to be better cricketers.

With the bat, Waugh sits in the lower middle-order and is often the link between the top and bottom halves of the batting line-up. Waugh has scored a record 5997 runs batting at No 5 at 54.52 whilst he has compiled an equally impressive 3034 runs at 49.74 in the No 6 spot.

His fielding in the gully-point-cover region is superb. Sadly, he has not done as much bowling in recent times but he has compensated for that by being captain.

Waugh cares about the heritage of the game. The culture and tradition of it. Under him, players are made to appreciate what number Test cricketer they are for their country. They're made to acknowledge the deeds of those who have gone before them.

For Waugh, this may be an incredible milestone and one which he will reflect on once he finally hangs up his whites but for the moment he will be treating it like every one of his 156 other Test matches - doing his darnedest to win it for Australia.