Miscellaneous

Waugh "astonished" at over reduction

Australian captain Steve Waugh was very disappointed at his team's loss in the final match of the Super Challenge 2000 series against South Africa but said that he was "astonished" at the two over deduction made to his team's allocated overs as it

Lawrie Colliver
20-Aug-2000
Australian captain Steve Waugh was very disappointed at his team's loss in the final match of the Super Challenge 2000 series against South Africa but said that he was "astonished" at the two over deduction made to his team's allocated overs as it chased a target of 207 to win.
"I couldn't believe we were fined, in fact I was astonished," Waugh said after Australia's eight run loss which caused the series to end tied at one match each.
"We thought we were going ok, the umpires said we were ok," said Waugh after also outlining that his team should have won the match anyway.
"We batted poorly, we should have got 206 easily in the end, but we played some poor shots and didn't respect our wickets enough."
Waugh was questioned on a possible solution on the other problem that arose - the fact that the South Africans actually took longer to bowl forty-eight overs than the Aussies did to bowl their fifty.
"I'm not sure of the solution, maybe something like if you're four overs short, then add on the runs from the last four overs of the first innings."
Waugh was pleased with the overall concept of the matches, praising the way the wicket held up, but said the outfield was a little slippery.
As for rival skipper, Shaun Pollock, he was delighted was his team's effort. "With Jonty Rhodes and Mark (Boucher) not playing and having a stand-in keeper I am particularly chuffed.
"After losing four quick wickets, we consolidated and fought on and won which was excellent."
Pollock praised Andrew Hall who took on the keeper's role and also praised Man of the Series, Nicky Boje, who bowled well in the last two matches.
Overall, Pollock was pleased with the concept, saying the lights didn't affect things too much and that all that was required was to get the "ground less slippery".