There’s a reason why he is as regarded today as he was back then. Then, it must be said, there’s also a reason why his views hold as much weight and worth (or value) today as they did back then, when formerly, as the Australia Test and ODI captain, Steve Waugh took charge not just of Australia but commanded respect for his leadership skills.
Well, Steve Waugh, whether you are aware or not, whether you agree or not, is among the most widely-respected and cerebral minds to have ever played the game. For someone who perhaps wasn’t born with the most astounding or natural talents as a batsman, Waugh worked out his flaws and elongated his batting and game to carve a successful career built on the painfully correct tedium.
Waugh exemplified doing the right thing; following the grind, unescaping the painfully correct tedium of focusing and putting a price on his wicket. Never someone who would give it away easily, Steve Waugh was, is respected as much for the heaps of runs he scored as for the situations and oppositions he scored them in. And at the same time, the very fact that Waugh managed to inspire the opponents he often withered away using the customary grit and coolness, Waugh found respect even from the opposition camp: such a rarity, especially in today’s times, one would think, no?
So it is needless to state that when Steve Waugh says something, it is heard, understood, and even presented with a call to action; say something like a nod of approval.
Recently, Waugh was also sought by the Australian Cricket Board to council the Men’s side during the 2019 Ashes series, an outing that resulted in the Aussies retaining the Ashes by drawing level with England, their great rivals, at England.
Now, Steve Waugh has expressed his feelings about the so-called Big 3; three of the biggest cricket governing bodies or to put it simply, cricket boards that are not only the strongest but also the most profitable among all cricket playing nations at the moment.
At the moment, it is important to reinstate the feeling and what could be called an existential reality, only 3 Test playing nations enjoy the large chunk of the game’s pie, whether its revenues or representation of the sport in its entirety, these being- England, India, and Australia.
To that end, here were the responses made by Steve Waugh on the prevailing situation:
There is no point having it if you just have three strong nations. We have to develop countries like Zimbabwe, Ireland, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Money needs to go to those countries too. I understand it’s a business and the ‘Big 3’ want more than everyone else, but if they want the game to thrive and survive, you definitely have to share and develop other countries.”
That being said, the legendary New South Wales batsman and former captain of the Australian team- a man who was part of the iconic Aussie set up of the invincible 90s side- also shared some thoughts about the idea to trim down the duration of Test matches.
Steve Waugh, it is reported, didn’t seem a fan of the idea of trimming down the number of days in Test cricket, something that’s been debated for a while in order to reinstate the interest and familiar love for the longest format, also regarded as the classic form of the gentleman’s sport.
To that end, here’s what Waugh had to say:
“There are too many changes going around these days. There is nothing wrong with tradition. Some of the best Test matches go till the fifth day. I think if the length of Test matches is reduced then the standard of cricket will drop. Spinners will go out of the game,” he further added.
Finally, the great Steve Waugh expressed his liking for, and therefore, backed up the idea of day-night Tests. He would promptly share, ” It is great. It is a great opportunity, a great spectacle. One will never forget playing in a day-night Test in Australia.”