The Hindu : Vintage Waugh saves Australia the blushes

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004

Sport

Sport - Cricket

Vintage Waugh saves Australia the blushes

By Vijay Lokapally

India: 705 for 7 decl. & 211 for 2 decl.

Australia: 474 & 357 for 6

IT STAYS WITH US: Sourav Ganguly receiving the Border-Gavaskar Trophy from the two men it is named after. - Photo: V.V. Krishnan

SYDNEY JAN. 6. Steve Waugh signed off in style with an innings that portrayed his character impeccably as Australia forced a draw to finish the series 1-1 against a determined India at the SCG here.

The standing ovation that Waugh earned will reverberate for some time to come as the audience rose to pay tribute to a highly distinguished modern cricketer who brought glory to the game with his dedication and a vision to create a great combination.

His services to Australian cricket will be documented in glowing terms after he trooped out a proud man.

Waugh leaves a grand legacy behind; stories of some brave battles against some great bowlers. He emerged the winner, even in this draw, and the cricketing fraternity gratefully acknowledged Waugh's s last show by saluting the great soldier. He had defended Australia's as only he could have, playing one of his finest innings in the last moments of an illustrious career.

The stage was set for an exciting finish when the contest commenced under a cover of clouds. A brief shower sent the players scurrying but the fight resumed with Sourav Ganguly and his hungry men on the prowl.

The cricket was intense. Justin Langer and Mathew Hayden batted without discarding their positive attitude. Shots flew in various directions and the tension was mounting as India looked up to Anil Kumble.

Sadly, for India, Kumble alone looked capable of making any inroads on a pitch that did not deteriorate as was feared by many. He was watched carefully, and with respect, by the Australian openers. Ganguly attacked with all his means, banking on Kumble to pull off a win that would open a new chapter in India's cricket history.

The fielders lurked and a hush fell on the arena when Hayden played a careless drive as Kumble changed his line. Hayden had been deceived by the crafty Kumble, who now sensed the chance.

But the next wicket went to Murali Kartik, not the most impressive of the bowlers though, as Langer came up with a dreadful drive. The stage was now set for a dramatic finish.

Ricky Ponting, who steps into Waugh's role as captain, and Damien Martyn showed remarkable discipline to ward off the danger. There was much merit in the manner in which the two tackled the spinners by using their feet.

The Indians now slowly felt their grip easing. It was a crucial phase as Kumble had begun to tire from the long spell sand the other end did not promise much as Kartik failed to play the foil to his senior partner.

It was Kumble again who created interest in the proceedings. He induced a mishit from a sweep and Martyn had once again wasted a splendid start with a casual shot. The match now entered a critical stage and Waugh walked in, much to the relief of Ponting, who was not so sure of himself against Kumble.

Kumble was crestfallen when Parthiv Patel failed to stump Ponting when the batsman was 15 but the leg-spinner recovered his composure to attack. Ponting finally fell to Irfan Pathan but the Indians were hard pressed for time and ammunition.

Like any decorated soldier would, Waugh just waded into the opposition and took them by the scruff literally. The aggression that Waugh displayed in the middle was quite uncharacteristic but then it was a throwback to his early days when he met fire with fire.

Waugh scattered the infield and left Akash Chopra at short-leg ducking for his life with some stunning sweeps. The game steadily drifted away from India's grip as Waugh and Simon Katich batted with remarkable skills on a pitch that threw a challenge from various angles.

Katich was motivated by the fact that the best way to pay tribute to his retiring leader was to ensure that he did not lose his final battle. The knock by Katich was proof of Australia's future strength in depth.

The singles that he ran for and the determination that embellished his 50th half-century in Tests best exemplified Waugh's spirit. The whiplash square-cut and square-drive that dominated his knock brought fond memories of the young Waugh, who made his Test debut in1985.

In the closing stages, with the crowd chanting "Steve Waugh, Steve Waugh", it was a fight between the Australia skipper and the bowlers wanting to deny him his 33rd century in 168 Tests. The Indians denied him that honour but not the respect as they all converged on the man to pat him and shake his hands. Waugh deserved the emotional farewell.

Waugh's dismissal was followed by Adam Gilchrist's bizarre wicket when he was stumped by Patel, the ball slipping and yet hitting the stumps.

Suddenly the Indian hopes were revived and there was some excitement but Katich defied the bowlers and earned Waugh's admiration by ensuring there were no alarms.

INDIA — 1st innings:

705 for seven decl.

AUSTRALIA — 1st innings: 474

INDIA — 2nd innings:

211 for two decl.

AUSTRALIA — 2nd innings:

J. Langer c Sehwag b Kartik
(90m, 58b, 8 x 4)
47

M. Hayden c Dravid b Kumble
(74m, 49b, 2 x 4)
30

R. Ponting c & b Pathan
(146m, 104b, 7 x 4)
47

D. Martyn c (sub) Yuvraj
b Kumble
(94m, 96b, 4 x 4)
40

S. Waugh c Tendulkar
b Kumble
80

(175m, 159b, 15 x 4)

S. Katich (not out) 77

(161m, 96b, 9 x 4)

A. Gilchrist st. Patel b Kumble 4

(3m, 3b, 1 x 4)

J. Gillespie (not out) 4

(17m, 11b, 1 x 4)

Extras (b-6, lb-7, nb-13, w-2) 28

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Total (for six wkts
in 94 overs)
357

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