The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Two-tier format fine for one-dayers: Waugh

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 01, 2004

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Sport - Cricket

Two-tier format fine for one-dayers: Waugh

By Our Special Correspondent

MUMBAI, MAY 31. Steve Waugh was sharp as ever at the launch of AMP Sanmar's three life insurance products at the Grand Maratha Sheraton on Monday.

Out of international cricket since January 2004, the legendary Australian cricketer seemed to be in full grasp of the goings on international cricket, especially the upheaval in Zimbabwe, Muttiah Muralitharan's problems with the `doosra', Sourav Ganguly's suggestion to have a two-tier format in international cricket and several other issues. He said Muralitharan's world record feat is a great achievement and that he is fantastic cricketer.

Waugh felt that Ganguly's recommendation to the ICC is worthy of consideration, but only for one-day internationals." The two-tier system is fine for one-day cricket. I am not sure about Test cricket because a team would tend to get sick and tired of playing the same teams again and again. I think we have to be careful about Test match cricket. If you look back through the history of Test cricket there has always been weak sides in every era. It was there when Don Bradman was playing and in the 50s and 60s. There were sides that were losing regularly. I think we are getting a little bit carried away by a couple of sides not performing well. You have got to give them opportunities.''

He supported the ICC's decision to defer the Test series between Australia and Zimbabwe. "I am definitely happy that the Test series has been postponed. When a team is picked on the basis of colour then they should not be allowed to be playing. I am disappointed that the one-day series went ahead in exactly the same circumstances. I am a bit unsure about why they played the one-day series. It's up to the ICC make these tough decisions and the teams are guided by their respective Boards.''

He also welcomed USA's entry into international cricket. "It's a good thing that America is in world cricket. It has the population and enough people to take interest in the game. I have played a couple of games in America. It will take a long time for it to reach the standard required. There are coaches working in America to help it reach the reasonable standard. But America as a Test country may not happen.''

Waugh said he keeps himself busy playing some intense cricket games with his four-year old son inside and outside the house, sees ballet, plays golf and a little bit of tennis. About being invited to relight the Olympic flame in Sydney he said: "It's a massive honour. I cannot believe I have been chosen to relight the Olympic flame. When Australia hosted the Olympic games at Sydney I was involved in the torch relay. There were five hundred thousand people on the streets of Sydney. That's one of the highlights for me as a sportsperson. I am extremely fortunate to be doing that again.''

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