Waugh says goodbye

Steve Waugh bade an emotional farewell to Test cricket after his innings of 80 helped Australia secure a draw against India in Sydney.

Waugh said it had been a "long journey" since making his debut as a 20-year-old against the same opponents in 1985.

"I feel happy. I feel I've achieved quite a bit in this game.

"I know this Australian side is a great side. I really feel privileged to have captained this side for the last four or five years."

He said: "It has really made my job easier to have such a talented group of players."

Cricket Australia chairman Bob Merriman paid tribute to Waugh's contribution to the game and hailed him as "not just a great Australian cricketer, but surely a great Australian".

Merriman said: "Perhaps the greatest tribute a retiring cricketer can be paid is to learn that they have left the game in far better shape than when they found it. Steve, you have certainly done that.

"Through your inspirational leadership and pride in representing Australia, you have helped ensure that future Test players know how special it is to wear the Baggy Green (cap)."

Waugh is the most successful Test captain of all time, leading Australia to victory in 41 matches out of 57 - a success rate of 71.93 per cent - and losing only six.

He also led the team in 106 one-day internationals, including the 1999 World Cup final at Lord's when Australia beat Pakistan by eight wickets.

Waugh thanked the Indian team for making his final series, which ended 1-1, such a memorable one.

"They played outstanding cricket. It was a fantastic series, played in the right spirit, and I know the Australian side really enjoyed the challenge.

"I know they are looking forward locking horns again in about nine months time back in India."

Looking back over his career, he said: "It's been a long journey, 18 years.

"I was nervous the first time I played for Australia, I didn't think I'd play another Test match, so once I got 13 and five in that first Test match, I was happy with 18 runs.

"To play 168 (Tests) is a massive bonus, so I'd like to thank the selectors for their patience and faith in my ability."

'A week I will never forget'

By Justin Langer Australian Test batsman The only true way to describe the last week is to say that it was an incredible extravaganza. From the moment we arrived in Sydney the atmosphere was electric. At training, thousands of well-wishers turned out to watch us prepare for what was to be Steve Waugh's final Test match. Every move made by the captain was applauded by proud supporters or captured by photographers looking to catch one last glimpse of their hero. Matty Hayden and I allow Steve to soak up the acclaim The Test in itself had taken on grand proportions because of our victory in Melbourne to level the series. If there was not so much at stake then it would have been so easy to get caught up and then drown in the hysteria. Instead there was nowhere to hide because we were in for a huge fight if we were to win back the Border-Gavaskar trophy. Of course there were brief moments when nostalgia set in, but these were short because thoughts quickly turned back to the fight at hand. As determined as we all were to send out our skipper in the best possible way, there was little we could do to halt the resolve of the outstanding Indian batsmen. Like a bubbling volcano, the great Sachin was well overdue to erupt into action. His unbeaten double-century confirmed to any doubters that he is simply a master of the game. Tendulkar's mastery, along with the similarly skilled VVS Laxman, meant that Stephen would spend the first seven sessions of his last Test match chasing leather. At stumps on day two he looked at me with a sly grin and said he wouldn't miss these days in the field when his career came to an end. With 700 on the board for India, victory would be highly unlikely for us. Stephen reminded us all of one of his goals when he first took over as captain of the team. He felt we had an opportunity to prove that we could fight out for a draw if we needed to. Playing alongside Steve has been a massive privilege for me Although we batted well in our first innings, nearly any total when you are chasing over 700 seems insignificant. On a wearing and spinning SCG pitch we would have to play tough to draw the match and the series. As fate would have it, Stephen batted for about three hours on Tuesday to ensure this happened. Although it would have been highly appropriate for the iceman to finish with a century and a victory, this was not the case. After five intense days of Test cricket the final result was a rare draw for us. I cannot ever remember feeling as drained as I am right now. This series has been as tough as I have played in. It feels like we have just completed an ultra marathon. I can only imagine how Stephen is feeling. When the game was over and we had a second to reflect, one thing kept creeping back into my train of thought. Like it or not we will never see the inspirational, highly revered and admired SR Waugh wearing the baggy green cap again. What a career, what a week, a time I will never forget Justin Langer Never again will we see that perfectly straight bat or the steely concentration and resolve reflecting from deep inside the face of the skipper. Never again will I sing the team song or sit in awe at the example of this great player and leader. But then I reflect on the incredible privilege I have had of playing and sharing 68 Test matches with this special character. Stephen will be missed in so many ways but the sun will come up tomorrow and the game stops for no-one. What a career, what a week; a time I will never forget. From Sydney JL

Waugh leaves lasting legacy

By Scott Heinrich BBC Sport LEADER OF MEN Tests: 168 Runs: 10,927; Ave: 51.06 100s: 32; 50s: 50 Wickets: 92 Tests as captain: 57 Won: 41; Drew: 7; Lost: 9 Runs: 3,714: Ave: 52.3 Sachin Tendulkar said it all at the presentation ceremony after the Sydney Test, the 168th and final of Steve Waugh's career. Tendulkar, perhaps the greatest batsman of the modern era, said Waugh had been an inspiration to "all us youngsters". Now, Waugh's phenomenal career is over, precisely 18 years and 11 days after it began. He left it fighting hard to save a Test series, just as he had fought hard to keep his place in the team after an uninspiring beginning all those years ago. Waugh is the final link between the old and the new, the way cricket used to be played and the way it is now. His singular contribution to the game sees him retire as the second-highest Test run scorer, the second-greatest century-maker and the most successful captain. "That's the exact reason I'm going. I can't imagine it can get any better than this," Waugh said. These are records he will take with him into retirement, but what has he left behind for the team he has fashioned into arguably the greatest of all time? It is without question that Waugh the batsman has been a marvellous servant, mixing true grit and natural ability in equal measures in some memorable innings. I hope the legacy I leave is the side is still in good shape and can continue to do well Steve Waugh But it is Waugh's contribution as a captain that has seen him take the next step as an immortal of the game. He served as a player under Allan Border and Mark Taylor before taking over in March 1999. Whereas Taylor was handed the captaincy after Border because he was the best captain, Waugh became skipper because he was the best player. He borrowed from both predecessors, displaying the ruthlessness of Border but adding positivity, the thoughtfulness of Taylor but with a killer instinct. In many ways, Waugh captained as he played: unyieldingly aggressive, determined and with a never-say-die attitude. Waugh was without doubt lucky to take over a side that was already at the top of the tree. Some have churlishly said anybody could have captained Waugh's Australia to victory. But to Waugh's ultimate credit, he positioned his pawns to perfection and actually succeeded in making Australia better. His brand of leadership revolutionised captaincy and the way the game is played, leaving an almighty blueprint for his successor Ricky Ponting. Waugh hands over a finely tuned outfit to his successor Ricky Ponting Habitually batting first when winning the toss, run-rates in excess of four runs per over, eliminating draws as a possible result, doing away with nightwatchmen - these were hallmarks of Waugh's captaincy. But there was also the intangible. Waugh's single-minded resolve infiltrated the entire team, and it is hard to imagine a group of players more dedicated to a shared vision. It didn't always work. See Calcutta in 2001 and Adelaide last month for examples of Waugh's gung-ho mentality costing Australia dearly. His records set him apart statistically from great leaders such as Clive Lloyd, but in terms of impact on Australian cricket Waugh has surely eclipsed Sir Don Bradman, Bobby Simpson and Ian Chappell as the country's most influential skipper. Then there was the darker side of Waugh's tactical nous, the sledging or "mental disintegration" that was allowed to flourish under his leadership. It started with Border, but Waugh evolved on-field verbals as a legitimate approach, saying it was "all part of the game". And therein lies the distinction. It was all part of his game, the game he came to redefine. In an era Australia has held centre stage, Waugh has been pulling the strings. But that era is now over, and all we are left with is the memory of a man the like of whom cricket may never see again. Perhaps the ultimate leader, Waugh led Australia to the promised land. It is now their task to continue the journey.

Waugh denies India

Fourth Test, Sydney, day five: India 705-7 dec & 211-2 dec drew with Australia 474 & 357-6 Full scorecard Final day photos from Sydney Steve Waugh made a gallant 80 in his last Test innings as Australia held on for a draw against India. Australia were 357-6 when a halt was called at Waugh's home ground in Sydney, with the series tied 1-1. But India retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy which they won following a 2-1 home triumph against Australia in 2001. Waugh passed 50 for the 50th time in Tests but was unable to sign off with a century when he was caught on the boundary off Anil Kumble. The Australia skipper left the field to a standing ovation as a near-capacity crowd at the SCG applauded their hero for the last time. Kumble finished with match figures of 12-279 after taking four wickets on the final day. He and fellow spinner Murali Kartik removed both openers in the first session. Matthew Hayden was caught in the slips by Rahul Dravid and Justin Langer hung his head in shame when he was out for 47, caught by Virender Sehwag at mid-off. Langer walks back to the pavilion after going for 47 Langer passed 5,000 Test runs - the 14th Australian to do so - but was lucky to stay at the crease so long after two legitimate appeals for lbw were turned down by umpire Steve Bucknor. Ricky Ponting and Damien Martyn steered the score along to 170-2 before the latter was caught by sub fielder Yuvraj Singh off Kumble for 40. And Irfan Pathan caught and bowled Ponting for 47 just before tea to realistically end Australia's attempt to reach the record 443 needed for victory. But Waugh and Simon Katich (77 not out) did not give up hope, dominating the India attack until Waugh perished six overs before stumps seeking his 33rd Test century. Waugh swept Kumble high over backward square and into the waiting hands of Sachin Tendulkar. His dismissal left him with a Test record of 10,927 runs from 168 Tests at an average 51.06. It's such a shame after India worked so hard that they were denied victory From Kerry F Have your say on TMS Gilchrist was then clumsily stumped off Kumble, leaving India needing four wickets from four overs for an improbable win. But Katich and Jason Gillespie stood firm to ensure Waugh would not bow out of Test cricket on a losing note. India, however, will claim a moral victory as they keep hold of the trophy after their series victory in India in 2001. Sachin Tendulkar was named Man of the Match for his two unbeaten knocks of 241 and 60, while Rahul Dravid scooped the Man of the Series award.

India lead Waugh tributes

Waugh signed off with a fine innings but not a victory India's leading players have paid tribute to Steve Waugh after the Australia captain bowed out of international cricket on Tuesday. Waugh called time on a record Test careeer of 168 matches following the final Test in Sydney, which was drawn. Waugh made 80 as Australia reached 357-6 to keep India at bay, though the 1-1 series scoreline saw the visitors retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India captain Sourav Ganguly said: "I'd like to wish Steve Waugh good luck." He added: "All our wishes are with you and I hope you have a wonderful life after cricket. "A lot of cricketers including me have looked up to you for your attitude and I wish you and your family good luck." A lot of cricketers including me have looked up to you Ganguly on Waugh Ganguly also praised his own players for drawing the series after travelling to Australia as underdogs. "A special thank you to my boys. It's been an honour and a pleasure leading them this series the way that they played." Sachin Tendulkar, who claimed the Man of the Match award for his unbeaten knocks of 241 and 60 at the SCG, said Waugh had inspired him throughout his career. "I want to take this opportunity to thank Steve Waugh, because to all us youngsters - and I am quite younger than him - he has been an inspiration. "We have watched him all the way and he has set great examples for us. I want to wish him all the best in life." Tendulkar admitted it was a huge relief to make a big score after enduring a torrid time with the bat in the first three Tests. He said: "It's always been a great pleasure to play in Australia. "The beginning of the series was not great but it's better late than never for me and I'm quite happy to have scored runs. "I'd like to congratulate all the team members for putting up such a fabulous performance on this tour." The Man of the Series award went to Rahul Dravid, who scored 619 runs at an average of 123. "I am glad I played my part in making Steve Waugh's final series a memorable one," he said. "It was played in the best spirit by both teams and I'd like to congratulate them both on a very exciting and entertaining series. "I'd like to thank Waugh and wish him the best for the future."

Waugh aids Iranian appeal

Waugh has supported a number of charities around the world Australian captain Steve Waugh is to auction the shirt he wore in his final Test at Melbourne to raise money for the Iranian earthquake disaster fund. Waugh, who will retire in the Sydney New Year Test, has had his shirt signed by all Australia's players and their Indian opponents. It will be framed and auctioned on the internet site e-bay. Waugh said: "We've all been extremely saddened by the news coming out of Iran over the last couple of days." The record-breaking cricketer added: "Our thoughts are with all those who have been impacted by this tragedy - especially the Iranians in Australia who have lost loved ones back home. "It's difficult to comprehend destruction of this scale and we hope our donation will assist in the fundraising effort." Global aid agencies have launched urgent appeals for donations to help those affected by the earthquake in Bam, Iran. Tens of thousands of people are desperately in need of food, water and shelter following the devastating quake, the worst in the region for more than a decade. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has launched a preliminary appeal for £8.67 million to assist survivors. The death toll from could rise to 50,000.

Thanks for the memories

Neil Manthorp

January 6, 2004

Neil Manthorp gives a South African slant on the retirement of Steve Waugh:

No more Waugh: South Africa can finally move on © Getty Images

In all his great and glorious career, Stephen Waugh failed to provide a single happy memory for South African supporters. Even the one isolated occasion when victory could be celebrated, it was not of South Africa's making.

Other sporting icons have had their moments against South Africa, but they have also experienced the bitterness of defeat. David Campese, for example, may be the world's leading try-scorer in rugby union, but he only scored one against South Africa in some seven Tests.

And while we're on rugby, what about the supremely talented John Eales - did he have it all his own way against the Springboks? Mostly, but not in 1998 when South Africa won the Tri-Nations and equalled the world record of 18 consecutive international victories.

Every moment of triumph against Australia since South Africa returned from 21 years of isolation has, somehow, had nothing to do with Steve Waugh. Or rather, he had nothing to do with them. Where was he in the famous New Year's Test of 1994, when Fanie de Villiers bowled South Africa to a historic six-run win? He wasn't playing.

On South Africa's list of dramatic and hurtful losses, however, Waugh features like a rash. His breathtaking 120 not out in a do-or-die pool match at the 1999 World Cup still hurts South Africans today, and the wound shows few signs of healing. But what hurt more than any individual innings were the labels he handed out. When he pasted the one marked "chokers" across South African foreheads the anger he created came close to paralysing his opponents. Which was, of course, exactly how he planned it.

For the last seven or eight years South Africa's finest cricket brains have been working overtime trying to figure out whether we are indeed chokers. What is a choke, anyway? Whatever it is, it became firmly entrenched under South Africa's cricketing skin, and only with Mr Waugh's passing into retirement will we be able to move on.

A generation of wonderful cricketers has already gone by in this country without knowing what it feels like to beat Australia in a series (does this sound familiar, England?). The after-effects of Waugh will probably determine the likelihood of Kallis, Gibbs, Boucher, Ntini and Pollock joining Kepler Wessels, Brian McMillan, Jonty Rhodes, Dave Richardson and Andrew Hudson on the "never-been-there didn't-get-the-T-shirt" sidelines.

As for what Waugh called his mental-disintegration tactics, most South Africans coped pretty well, although there were times when he got it badly wrong - in our humble opinion. If it is the Waugh way to destroy a young man's career with deeply personal (however "clever") chirps then he is welcome to keep it. But it wasn't necessary, because the victims now plodding their sensitive trail in domestic cricket were never, ever good enough to pose a threat anyway.

No matter. His mistakes were small, and will be quickly forgotten. In South Africa Steve Waugh will be remembered as the greatest opponent we ever faced. Tougher, even, than that Allan Border.

In moments of acidic desperation, we can call upon one moment of triumph when Australia didn't get its own way - and it even led to Waugh's sacking as captain of the one-day team.

It was the final match of the one-day series Down Under in 2001. Australia needed to beat South Africa and collect a bonus point at the WACA. They played an extra batsman in Darren Lehmann and, at the halfway point, things looked good with Australia posting 283 for 7.

Then, horror of horrors, South Africa downgraded their target to ensure they did not lose badly enough to give the Aussies the point that would have seen them make the final. Some Australians called it gutless, to accept defeat and gift a place in the finals to New Zealand. But for the South Africans it was regarded as just the kind of clever move Steve Waugh would have been proud of (didn't something similar happen against West Indies in the 1999 World Cup?). But although South Africa thrashed New Zealand in the final there was still the nagging memory that Australia had beaten SA in three of the four pool matches. Yes, it did feel hollow. Especially when Waugh was sacked a few weeks later.

No matter. When Stephen Waugh walks onto the SCG for the last time, and when he walks out to bat, and when he walks off the field for the last time, all South Africans will be cheering - and many will have a tear in their eye. Not because we're glad to see the back of him, but because it will be time to admit that he was better than us. And only now can we look back at a decade of competition against him and start appreciating the memories.

Steve Waugh on the SCG

The Don, The Hill … and the flying meat pie

The new book Ground Rules contains in-depth chapters on the great cricket grounds of the world. In this exclusive excerpt Steve Waugh looks at Sydney, his home ground and the venue for his final Test on January 2:

Steve Waugh is all smiles at a press conference a day before the Sydney Test © Getty Images

My first memory of the Sydney Cricket Ground is going out there with my team-mates from the Panania-East Hills under-10s cricket side. After playing a match in the morning, we travelled to the ground in the back of our coach's van to see New South Wales play South Australia in the Sheffield Shield. It was November 1973.

Inevitably, my memories of that day have been clouded by time, but I do recall that we sat on The Hill and I was taken by the greenness of it all – not just where we sat, but also the playing surface and the roofs of the grandstands.

The ground needs its history and memories to keep it sacred. Back in 1973, I recall the immediate feeling that the SCG was a special place, and how I enjoyed the barrackers who were brave enough to yell good-naturedly at the players. The ground seemed so huge. Doug Walters seemed to be everyone's favourite; he quickly became mine.

Two summers later and I made my Test debut, so to speak, when dad took my twin brother Mark and me to the third day of the Test against West Indies. A study today of the scorecard shows that the day was dominated by Greg Chappell, who made 182 not out, the second of his four Test centuries at the ground. However, my main memory is of Aussie keeper Rod Marsh hitting a pull shot smack in the middle of his bat, but being caught spectacularly, one-handed with his body parallel to the ground, by Lance Gibbs in front of square leg. We were sitting in the Sheridan Stand and I was entranced by how much more vibrant the ground was with a full house in. The green grass of The Hill was now a mass of colour, bare backs, noise, energy and – late in the day – the odd brawl or two as well.

The story goes that when the young Don Bradman was taken to the fifth Ashes Test of 1920-21 at the SCG by his father, to see Charlie Macartney make 170 as Australia completed a unique 5-0 clean sweep of the series, he said flatly on the way home that he would not rest until he too played at the ground. I cannot say I had the same determination after that Windies Test. But I knew that it would be fantastic to be out there.

Within 12 months, Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket had brought night cricket to the ground, and I had come to appreciate the SCG in all its forms – the Tests, the one-dayers and the Shield, and also its place as the headquarters for rugby league, rugby union and for major soccer internationals. One of my strongest memories is of a soccer friendly between Australia and Uruguay in 1974, played just six weeks before the two teams appeared at the World Cup Finals in West Germany. Uruguay were two-time winners of the World Cup, had finished fourth in 1970, but this day they were beaten 2-0 by the Socceroos and shamed themselves when their defender, Louis Garisto, floored the Aussie striker Ray Baartz with a karate chop.

In my favourite dream, I am sitting on the grass of The Hill at a packed Sydney Cricket Ground, watching Don Bradman carve into an English attack. It is a beautiful summer's day and the operators in the old scoreboard at the back of The Hill are working overtime as The Don goes to another superb hundred. When he gets there, the spectators around me – among them the legendary "Yabba", Stephen Gascoigne, originator of lines such as "Send 'im down a piano, see if 'e can play that" – are on their feet, as hats are thrown in the air.

Strangely, Bradman's Test record in Sydney is not (by his standards) brilliant. In eight Tests, he scored "only" two hundreds and averaged "just" 58.58. By contrast, in 11 Tests at the Melbourne Cricket Ground he made nine hundreds and averaged 128.54. Bradman's finest Test performance at the SCG was probably his 234 against Wally Hammond's England team in 1946-47. Away from the Test arena, however, Bradman certainly made his share of runs in Sydney, most notably in early January 1930.

In the second innings of a Shield match against Queensland – having been out for 3 first time round – Bradman scored 452 not out. The innings, a new record for first-class cricket, took just 415 minutes. The slowest of his nine fifties took 58 minutes. When NSW's captain Alan Kippax declared, Queensland immediately collapsed to 70 for 7 at stumps, and were all out for 84 the next day, which suggests that there might still have been something in the wicket. Of course, they were also seriously exhausted from fielding to The Don.

The honour of the best innings by an overseas batsman at the SCG must, in my view, go to Brian Lara, who in 1992-93 played with surety and brilliance against Australia for 277, made from just 372 balls. It was Lara's maiden Test century, and only ended when he was run out; otherwise he might still be batting today. It wasn't so much that he regularly beat the field but that he consistently bisected the gaps between fieldsmen. His placement and power were unbelievable.

Incidentally, in that same Test I scored what was probably the most important hundred of my Test career. Batting at No. 3, I made an even hundred, after word had reached me that if I didn't get runs then I was going to be dropped. I couldn't complain about the pressure, I needed the runs. Had I been omitted, I might not have made the 1993 Ashes tour, which is when I finally cemented my place in the Test XI.

Night cricket is a different game, more of a social event, there for the spectators and the treasurers who have to balance the books. The lights add to the theatre. Even now, 25 years on from the first night game at the SCG – a World Series Cricket one-dayer between the Australians and the West Indians which was played out in front of a full house – there is still a novelty value. And you are guaranteed a result.

For the players, day/night games are terrific value. You start at a different time, stop at a different time. It is exciting to walk out under the lights at night.

The crowds were different too; after dark The Hill wasn't a pleasant place to be. Sitting there one night during a one-day international in the early 1980s I was struck on the back of the head by a pie. Night cricket – and night football – hastened the demise of The Hill. The recurring headlines about the drunks behaving badly forced the authorities to concrete it over, and put plastic seats in. It's a shame The Hill is gone, and there is no doubt some of the character of the ground departed with it, but I understand why it had to go.

There is also a special leatherbound edition of Ground Rules

In January 2003, I had my own moment of last-ball excitement at the SCG when I scored a century in the fifth Ashes Test. The runs came after a spell in which my place in the side came under fierce scrutiny. I find that at a time like this some people like to put the boot it, but many more – family, friends and fans – offer strong support, so it was that on the second afternoon I walked out to applause and adulation.

Three hours later, I hit a four from the final ball of the day to reach my hundred and 40,000 people went crazy, clapping and cheering, roaring out my name. I never imagined that this would happen, and when it did it was very emotional for me. This was one of those occasions as a sportsperson when you are in that special place called "the zone", something that happens only once or twice in a career.

A few weeks later, in a Pura Cup match in Sydney, I was fielding in the covers on the eastern side of the ground, in front of the Bill O'Reilly Stand, the grandstand that grew out of where the old Bob Stand once stood. From there I could look past the batsman over to the Members Stand and the Ladies Stand. And I was thinking, "Jeez, how lucky am I? There's a lot of people who'd give a great deal to be where I am right now, playing cricket on this ground." There may even have been one or two boys in the crowd preparing to write the next chapter in this great ground's history.

Ground Rules, which also includes chapters by Sourav Ganguly, Andy Flower, Kumar Sangakkara and Christopher Martin-Jenkins, is published by Dakini Books. To order a copy click here.

SPECIAL OFFER There is also a limited number of leatherbound copies available, signed by Steve Waugh. Click here for details.