'This series is about Australia and India, not about me'
Steve Waugh has been stung by what he considers an attack on his integrity by the media, and he is determined to reply in the only way he knows: by scoring runs.
Wisden Cricinfo staff
10-Dec-2003
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Steve Waugh walks out to bat in his last Test at the Gabba © Getty Images |
John Buchanan, more motivator and team psychologist than traditional coach, once perceptively suggested that to be at his best, Steve Waugh needed a siege. If it wasn't there, he would create it. It would be outrageous to suggest that he plotted the mix-up which led to Damien Martyn's run-out and a national debate on the propriety of it, but, India beware, it has invested Waugh's farewell series with even greater purpose. He has been stung by what he considers an attack on his integrity by the media, and he is determined to reply in the only way he knows: by scoring runs.
He came out to speak to the media at the Adelaide Oval today, even though he wasn't scheduled to. Here's an excerpt from the press conference:
There was a feeling that your bowlers didn't bounce Sourav Ganguly at the Gabba as much as expected - there weren't enough balls aimed at his body ...
We never said it was part of our strategy. On that particular day, we didn't feel that was the right way to bowl. Your strategy revolves around the bowlers you've got. We had no Brett Lee, no Brad Williams - the bowlers who could generate a bit of pace. We had swing bowlers, the bowlers who bowl good line and length, bowl in the corridor, and the conditions were good for swing bowling. Another day, in other conditions, we might see us bowling differently.
We never said it was part of our strategy. On that particular day, we didn't feel that was the right way to bowl. Your strategy revolves around the bowlers you've got. We had no Brett Lee, no Brad Williams - the bowlers who could generate a bit of pace. We had swing bowlers, the bowlers who bowl good line and length, bowl in the corridor, and the conditions were good for swing bowling. Another day, in other conditions, we might see us bowling differently.
So did you miss Brad Williams's aggression?
It's a possibility. It's hard to say, really. We picked the right bowlers for the conditions at Brisbane. But it will be a different pitch here, and different conditions. So that's something for the selectors to consider. I will have my input, of course.
It's a possibility. It's hard to say, really. We picked the right bowlers for the conditions at Brisbane. But it will be a different pitch here, and different conditions. So that's something for the selectors to consider. I will have my input, of course.
Were you surprised by the way the Indians adapted to the conditions?
No. I have always said that India are a very good side. They have got world-class batsmen, as good as any batting side in the world. And they have got three bowlers who can swing the ball, and they have got two quality spinners. We expected them to do well. But we had the toughest conditions in the first couple of days. When India batted, the conditions had settled down.
No. I have always said that India are a very good side. They have got world-class batsmen, as good as any batting side in the world. And they have got three bowlers who can swing the ball, and they have got two quality spinners. We expected them to do well. But we had the toughest conditions in the first couple of days. When India batted, the conditions had settled down.
Are you surprised to be under so much scrutiny in this series?
The scrutiny was always going to be there. I knew from the beginning that it was my last series. I knew I had made the right decision. I am going to be positive about the rest of the series. This series is about Australia and India, it's not about me.
The scrutiny was always going to be there. I knew from the beginning that it was my last series. I knew I had made the right decision. I am going to be positive about the rest of the series. This series is about Australia and India, it's not about me.
But are you feeling more pressure than usual?
I'd say preparations for the Brisbane game weren't ideal. Not only for me, but for the whole team. There were too many commitments in the last couple of days before that match - that always happens before the first Test of a series, but maybe it was a bit more this time. I didn't really get time to settle down and think about the match.
I'd say preparations for the Brisbane game weren't ideal. Not only for me, but for the whole team. There were too many commitments in the last couple of days before that match - that always happens before the first Test of a series, but maybe it was a bit more this time. I didn't really get time to settle down and think about the match.
There have been suggestions that it might not have been such a good idea to announce your retirement at the beginning of a long series ...
I think it was the right thing to do. The situation is pretty clear now. We know where we are going. Even if I hadn't announced it, it would have been quite clear that it was going to be my last series in Australia. I am 100% happy and confident that I made the right decision for the right reasons, so I am going to be positive and enjoy every match. There was always going to be some conjecture, not that I had to agree with it. I am convinced the decision was made at the right time. There has been a lot of conjecture about when I was going to retire, whether my form was good enough. From that point of view it was right that I made the decision and announced it.
I think it was the right thing to do. The situation is pretty clear now. We know where we are going. Even if I hadn't announced it, it would have been quite clear that it was going to be my last series in Australia. I am 100% happy and confident that I made the right decision for the right reasons, so I am going to be positive and enjoy every match. There was always going to be some conjecture, not that I had to agree with it. I am convinced the decision was made at the right time. There has been a lot of conjecture about when I was going to retire, whether my form was good enough. From that point of view it was right that I made the decision and announced it.
Will your preparation for the next Test be any different?
I will be a bit more relaxed. I am focussed and I am going to go out and do what I always do. There were a couple of times when we lost our intensity at Brisbane. From the team point of view, that's important. We've got to pick ourselves up and do better.
I will be a bit more relaxed. I am focussed and I am going to go out and do what I always do. There were a couple of times when we lost our intensity at Brisbane. From the team point of view, that's important. We've got to pick ourselves up and do better.
When you are batting now, is there any awareness that this is your last Test match at this ground?
In the first innings things were obviously a bit tense. But the hardest part is actually waiting and then walking out to bat. Once you take strike, it's the same. It's another Test innings and every Test innings is tough. I like to be aggressive and positive, and that's how I will play in the rest of the series. I know I have three matches to go and I am going to enjoy the experience. It's always hard when you fail in the first innings. The pressure then builds up. I got some runs in the second innings, and that makes you feel good. I could have been out when I was on 8, and that would have built up the pressure. That's Test-match cricket. I am sure Sachin Tendulkar will feel the pressure in the second Test, as will Adam Gilchrist. No matter how many matches you have played, no matter who you are or how good you are, you always feel the pressure if you haven't made runs in your last Test.
In the first innings things were obviously a bit tense. But the hardest part is actually waiting and then walking out to bat. Once you take strike, it's the same. It's another Test innings and every Test innings is tough. I like to be aggressive and positive, and that's how I will play in the rest of the series. I know I have three matches to go and I am going to enjoy the experience. It's always hard when you fail in the first innings. The pressure then builds up. I got some runs in the second innings, and that makes you feel good. I could have been out when I was on 8, and that would have built up the pressure. That's Test-match cricket. I am sure Sachin Tendulkar will feel the pressure in the second Test, as will Adam Gilchrist. No matter how many matches you have played, no matter who you are or how good you are, you always feel the pressure if you haven't made runs in your last Test.
Now that there will be no cricket for you, how will you channel your competitiveness?
I have three kids at home. They are a lot of challenges out there. After the series is over, I will just sit back for a couple of weeks and relax. And then I might get bored and look for something to do. I enjoy writing, so I will do a bit of that. Commentating is an option. Coaching, I don't know. I would like to stay in touch with cricket. There are teams like Kenya, who need help ... who knows?
I have three kids at home. They are a lot of challenges out there. After the series is over, I will just sit back for a couple of weeks and relax. And then I might get bored and look for something to do. I enjoy writing, so I will do a bit of that. Commentating is an option. Coaching, I don't know. I would like to stay in touch with cricket. There are teams like Kenya, who need help ... who knows?
A few months ago you said that you would like one last shot at winning a series in India. Was that a consideration while making up your mind?
I didn't actually say that. I had said that winning a series in India remains a challenge. And the team going out there in September has a good chance of achieving a victory, and possibly I would be part of that team. But it didn't work out that way. It was a good time for me to go now. I have always thought that it's great to play your first Test abroad and the last at home. I will be going out at my home ground. It couldn't have been better.
I didn't actually say that. I had said that winning a series in India remains a challenge. And the team going out there in September has a good chance of achieving a victory, and possibly I would be part of that team. But it didn't work out that way. It was a good time for me to go now. I have always thought that it's great to play your first Test abroad and the last at home. I will be going out at my home ground. It couldn't have been better.
Sambit Bal, the editor of Wisden Asia Cricket magazine and Wisden Cricinfo in India, will be following the Indian team throughout this Test series.