Re-rating Steve Waugh in tests

[zen]

In tests for the 1990 to 2010 period, I have rated Brian Lara as the best batsman. His performances v Aus are legendary even with both McGrath and Warne playing, averaging 51 overall in 16 tests including a phenomenal 62 in 10 tests in the middle order (#4-7). You would find him hitting a 277 in Aus & a 150 odd in a chase in WI. Then you could see that he has hit a 375 v Eng, following it up with a 501* in a first class game in Eng. When you think that he is on decline, he comes back to hit 600+ runs in SL v Murali & company! When Hayden hit 380, it felt as if it would take a long time for someone to go past that but trust Lara to comeback with the 400* (bringing it back to the WI). It is relatively easy to see Lara as the best as his performances tend to stick (even now I am writing from memory). He is also a flamboyant and extremely talented Soberesque left hander, who in the end would make you feel that Lara is Lara. 

 

On the other end of the spectrum is Steve Waugh. He played his cricket differently, mainly remembered as a crisis man. However, he delivered many "sticky" performances too. During his time, Aus's main competitors involved England (Ashes), WI (primarily till mid 90s) and then SA took over from WI from mid 90s. The encounters b/w a declining WI and a rising Aus from late 80s to mid 90s probably produced among the most exciting cricket ever. Here too you would find many sticky performances such as the 200 in WI (with Aus winning the test, therefore doing that is something special against that WI side). In Ashes, he would also compete strongly, delivering memorable knocks. When SA became red hot, it is again Waugh, who would give you those "how did that happen" moments, hitting a 160 to make Aus win the test. His test career started relatively slowly but from Jan 1993 till his retirement, he averaged over 54 in 117 tests excluding BD & Zim. Outside of tests, in ODIs, he was one of the key performers for Aus in 1987 and 1999 ("You dropped the cup mate") WC wins. 

 

When you think about VVS's 281 and Sehwag's amazing run v Pak (both at home and away) from that period, at times, you are left wondering if you are not dreaming. Lara and Waugh provided such moments many times during their careers. During reflective thinking on cricket, it feels criminal to have relatively underrated Steve Waugh v his more flamboyant and talented competitor. I am willing to make up and put Steve Waugh right up there with Lara as the best in tests from that period for his fighting spirit, talent optimization, crisis management and impact. 

 

 

Edited March 20, 2021 by zen

[Sooda]

He was a great of his era for sure. But please apply the same yardsticks that you apply to Tendulkar to asses him: For eg SW averaged 25 in 4th innings, 35 in 3rd innings... (BCL was 35/40, SRT was 37/47).

I was trying to find out what SW's average when coming in after a few early wickets? That stick you like to keep beating SRT with.

[zen]

One knock that is not often discussed as Waugh has many such is 157 in Pak in 98. Aus were 20 odd for 3. Waugh came in to hit that 157, building p’ship with a couple of batsmen. Aus won that test and drew the others to win a series in Pak after a long time (35-40 years)

[SK_IH]

One of the best ever, greatest clutch batsman in history of test cricket.

[neel roy]

16 hours ago, zen said:

In tests for the 1990 to 2010 period, I have rated Brian Lara as the best batsman. His performances v Aus are legendary even with both McGrath and Warne playing, averaging 51 overall in 16 tests including a phenomenal 62 in 10 tests in the middle order (#4-7). You would find him hitting a 277 in Aus & a 150 odd in a chase in WI. Then you could see that he has hit a 375 v Eng, following it up with a 501* in a first class game in Eng. When you think that he is on decline, he comes back to hit 600+ runs in SL v Murali & company! When Hayden hit 380, it felt as if it would take a long time for someone to go past that but trust Lara to comeback with the 400* (bringing it back to the WI). It is relatively easy to see Lara as the best as his performances tend to stick (even now I am writing from memory). He is also a flamboyant and extremely talented Soberesque left hander, who in the end would make you feel that Lara is Lara. 

 

On the other end of the spectrum is Steve Waugh. He played his cricket differently, mainly remembered as a crisis man. However, he delivered many "sticky" performances too. During his time, Aus's main competitors involved England (Ashes), WI (primarily till mid 90s) and then SA took over from WI from mid 90s. The encounters b/w a declining WI and a rising Aus from late 80s to mid 90s probably produced among the most exciting cricket ever. Here too you would find many sticky performances such as the 200 in WI (with Aus winning the test, therefore doing that is something special against that WI side). In Ashes, he would also compete strongly, delivering memorable knocks. When SA became red hot, it is again Waugh, who would give you those "how did that happen" moments, hitting a 160 to make Aus win the test. His test career started relatively slowly but from Jan 1993 till his retirement, he averaged over 54 in 117 tests excluding BD & Zim. Outside of tests, in ODIs, he was one of the key performers for Aus in 1987 and 1999 ("You dropped the cup mate") WC wins. 

 

When you think about VVS's 281 and Sehwag's amazing run v Pak (both at home and away) from that period, at times, you are left wondering if you are not dreaming. Lara and Waugh provided such moments many times during their careers. During reflective thinking on cricket, it feels criminal to have relatively underrated Steve Waugh v his more flamboyant and talented competitor. I am willing to make up and put Steve Waugh right up there with Lara as the best in tests from that period for his fighting spirit, talent optimization, crisis management and impact. 

 

 

His last innings against India in Sydney.. one of his best. Clutch. Virtually stopped India from winning the series..

[zen]

Just now, neel roy said:

His last innings against India in Sydney.. one of his best. Clutch. Virtually stopped India from winning the series..

Oh yeah! It is easy to lose count with S Waugh  

[zen]

There was this “ton of pain” where he played with a calf injury (or something to that order) and hit a 100:

 

 

Edited March 20, 2021 by zen

[neel roy]

Best thing about him is he has dedicated his life to charity in India after retirement. It started with his passion for photography and then he came to Calcutta for the test match and thats where his tryst started .. immense respect for this guy

 

https://www.stevewaughfoundation.com.au/about/our-team/our-founders/

 

https://www.udayan-kolkata.in/our-people

Edited March 20, 2021 by neel roy

[Jay]

He is more clutch than punter even. 

 

[MechEng]

Steve Waugh was a consistent version of Michael Atherton. But he had his technical limitations and relied on dangerous methods to play fast bowling. 

[ravishingravi]

11 hours ago, zen said:

There was this “ton of pain” where he played with a calf injury (or something to that order) and hit a 100:

 

 

And he did it in last test by which time the ashes was done and dusted. 

[zen]

8 hours ago, ravishingravi said:

And he did it in last test by which time the ashes was done and dusted. 

Over the years since late 80s, Waugh has done well in Ashes ... The “Ton of pain” is an example of Waugh hitting a 100 despite in physical pain, another instance that showcases his fighting qualities!

Edited March 21, 2021 by zen

[zen]

On 3/20/2021 at 8:42 AM, Sooda said:

He was a great of his era for sure. But please apply the same yardsticks that you apply to Tendulkar to asses him: For eg SW averaged 25 in 4th innings, 35 in 3rd innings... (BCL was 35/40, SRT was 37/47).

I was trying to find out what SW's average when coming in after a few early wickets? That stick you like to keep beating SRT with.

 

Do you mean the following? 

 

• 500 or more runs in a series
• 3 or more 100s in a series
• 4th innings performance
• Performance at the point of entry of 100 or less runs 

 

That is to be in the "league of your own" (with all the four boxes ticked). I am not claiming that these guys are in the league of their own (though they have certain strengths). I am rating them as the best for the selected 1990-2010 period (both are different type of players w/ their strengths & weaknesses). In terms of above: 

 

• 500 or more runs in a series (excluding BD & Zim): Lara = Yes; Waugh = Yes 
• 3 or more 100s in a series (excluding BD & Zim): Lara = Yes; Waugh = No 
• 4th innings performance (excluding BD & Zim): Lara = No; Waugh = No  
• Performance at the point of entry of 100 or less runs (excluding BD & Zim): Lara = Yes (has batted in top order #1-3); Waugh = Yes, for his fighting knocks (additionally, has played a handful of tests in the top order)

 

Lara 3/4; Waugh 2/4 (they do tick off a few boxes above) 

Edited March 21, 2021 by zen