Wah, Waugh!

There were, presumably, celebrations from Manchester to Mumbai, Johannesburg to Jamaica, at the news that The Iceberg would soon melt into history. Such was Steve Waugh’s reputation as cricketer, strategist, captain, as a one-man tour de force, that his mere presence in a team was enough to unnerve the opposition. Yet amid the celebrations there would be a sense of loss for, in a game replete with giants, Waugh became one — not through artistry or eloquence but with characteristic Australian toughness. And by giving cricket a template for success.

His many feats seem so easy now to accomplish because he is surrounded by the best cricketers of the day, but there was a time when Waugh, and Australian cricket, were both on sticky wickets. A late bloomer who took 27 Tests to score his first century, he also had to contend with his twin, Mark, whose more graceful style found greater appeal — and once got him into the Test team at Steve’s expense. The elder brother bounced back, making the middle-order slot his own. Then, first as deputy to Mark Taylor and then as captain himself, he helped fashion Australian cricket into what it is today. Part of it is due, no doubt, to the wonders of sports science; but a great contribution came from Waugh’s infusion of a deep sense of pride, kinship and commitment, and his own personal refusal to accept the possibility of defeat. It was cricket by attrition, attacking the opposition with every means at their disposal. Not pretty, but pretty effective. And then there’s the Baggy Green, the Australian Test cap which has acquired iconic status under Waugh’s captaincy. As his teammate Adam Gilchrist noted, players did value the Baggy Green before “but he’s the main driver behind the passion and the aura”.

Waugh was all that, and a human being too. Where other cricketers would find touring the subcontinent a necessary evil, Waugh seized the opportunity to see another side of life. And while more celebrated cricketers spent their time on commercials and talk shows, Waugh used his considerable goodwill to change a corner of a foreign field. An amazing feat if only for his ability to find the sheer mindspace for it. That’s why the children of leprosy patients in Barrackpore are celebrating his impending retirement. They believe that “Dada” will now have more time for them!