excellent article
Mark Waugh - A triumph of style and substance
Anand Vasu - 29 October 2002
There's no reason why a journalist based in Madras, India, should consider it necessary to sit down at his keyboard and tap away just because Mark Waugh promptly retires after being dropped from the Australian side. Journos in New South Wales will do enough and more of that. Not unless, of course, the said cricketer was one of the reasons the Madras hack ended up being a cricket writer in the first place. Having suffered exactly that fate, this piece must be written.
Then, seemingly on a whim, as if to say, "nah, I'd rather whip that behind square", the wrists turn and the bowler's sweat, the ball's pace, the wicket's menace are all dismissed to the square leg fence. That's Mark Waugh. And yes, that's certainly a good enough reason to take up cricket writing.
Style is about as useful as a raincoat on a clear, hot summer' day when it's not backed up by substance. To stretch the clich? further, several people have suggested that while Mark was the style, Steve was the substance of the family. What of the other brothers Dean and Danny then? Dean has played first-class cricket and Danny just made 78 last weekend in Sydney grade cricket against a bowling attack that included New Zealand paceman Daryl Tuffey. About enough cricket talent for one family, you would think.
Okay, so elder brother Steve might have played 23 more Test matches and scored 1705 more runs than Mark. Look at Junior's record though. In a career spanning twelve years, 8029 runs flowed off the blade at an average of over 41. Once in every six games, the younger Waugh reached three figures. And importantly, no selection committee has ever seen it necessary, or fit, to drop Mark for a Test match since 1992/93 when he was dropped for the third Test against New Zealand. That's more substance than most international cricketers can dream of. But then, that again, is not the reason this piece had to be written.
There have been many times, when the runs have been hard to come by for the New South Welshman. The first slump came early on in his career, when he picked up four consecutive Test ducks touring Sri Lanka in 1992/93. From then on, however, there was more cause to celebrate the lazy elegance of his shots rather than the careless dismissals that sometimes crept in.
And, then, in 1997, the critics began their carping once more, as Australia took on New Zealand at home. Coming off scores of 7, 19, 1, 3 and 17, Mark needed something special to turn things around. On the first day, with New Zealand batting, one thought the younger Waugh would have to wait a while before he could make his mark. Only till Chris Cairns viciously pulled a rank long hop from Shane Warne. The ball punched a hole through the air and screamed towards midwicket. Flying across the turf, horizontal, with time standing still, Mark Waugh pouched the catch as a stunned Cairns' grin turned to a grimace.
The tide had turned with one brilliant moment in the field. "Mark Waugh held a real gem, leaping horizontally at midwicket to dismiss Cairns. There has rarely been a more classic catch," The Australian wrote. And, then, as if to confirm that he was back in top gear, Mark Waugh launched Daniel Vettori onto the roof of the Lillee-Marsh stand, causing a four-minute delay in play while a replacement ball was sought. He made 86, setting up an innings victory for Australia. But no, the fact that a man could change fortunes with one catch is not good enough reason for someone to turn to journalism.
Wind the clock to 1996 when the World Cup caravan came to the subcontinent. New Zealand, in the humid conditions at Madras chalked up an imposing 286 thanks to a crafty 130 from Chris Harris late in the order. Responding to the challenge, rising to the occasion, meeting pressure with composure, Mark Waugh made 110 off 112 balls, one of three tons he would make in the tournament, to take Australia to victory. Now that was enough to make one turn to cricket writing.
It might be a bit sentimental to say so, but once again the reasons are sound. Watching the match through the keyhole of a door from an adjoining room, while trying hard to prepare for the most important physics examination of one's life, it was quickly clear that a brilliant career in science laboratories was not to follow. With a percentage in the said examination that was closer to Mark Waugh's average than Don Bradman's, all hopes of that career in science were dashed.
Yes, it's a personal note. But so is the retirement of Mark Edward Waugh to a host of people around the world. The little matter of a few rupees received to supply information to a bookie will be forgotten soon. In a few years, so will the piles of runs scored. But the lazy clip off the hips, the effortless loft over the infield and the polished drive through covers will be talked about wistfully in bars for a long time to come.
? CricInfo
http://www-aus.cricket.org/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/CRICKET_NEWS/2002/OCT/082081_AUS_29OCT2002.html
Boxing Day Test
