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Tough to dominate in all three forms: Steve Waugh

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Having been part of the all-conquering Australian team, Steve Waugh believes his team has lost that aura in recent times. He made these observations while launching the Navitas Award for Excellence. The Australian legend is the Brand Ambassador for Navitas, a diversified global education provider.

“They probably have,” confessed Waugh, referring to Australia's decline as a Test team. “Our domination was on the same lines as the West Indies (in the seventies). But it is not possible to dominate when you have five sides (India, Australia, Sri Lanka, England and South Africa) of the same calibre. Anyone can win in T20, but Test cricket is different.”

Waugh continued, “It is tough to dominate in all three forms of the game (Test, 50-50 and T20). That's why New Zealand and the West Indies are concentrating on the shorter forms.” On India's position as the top Test team, the former Australia captain observed, “The bowling is not stronger, maybe due to injuries. But the No. 1 spot is up for grabs and that, to me, is very good for world cricket. As far as the rankings are concerned, I think most players are comfortable with it.”

Waugh noted that commercialisation of the game was a “dangerous” trend and hoped the young players did not “endorse wrong products.”

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