View Full Version : Waugh given 5 days to decide to play or call it a day
knuckles
12 Mar 2003, 13:23
Suspect he'll keep going. But the prob is that he needs to go to the WI (which I don't think he is keen on, hence the delay) to be able to have one more crack at India, in India:
Waugh handed Test deadline
Wednesday 12 March 2003, 6:05 AM
Steve Waugh has only five days to tell national selectors whether he wants to continue his Test career in the Caribbean next month.
The selection panel must know by Sunday, with a likely phone hook-up later that night to determine the 15-man squad to confront the West Indies in four Tests.
Waugh's plans aren't known and he again brushed off questions at a press conference on Tuesday ahead of Friday's Pura Cup final between Queensland and Waugh's NSW at the Gabba.
"No comment. I'm here to talk about the NSW game," Waugh told journalists.
Blues coach Steve Rixon wants Waugh to play in the Caribbean after the 37-year-old unleashed three centuries for NSW in the last five weeks.
"He's in sensational form and he would be a blessing to have in any one of those sides over there in the one-day comp right now (World Cup) and, more importantly, any four-day side or any five-day side," Rixon said.
"He's going to continue to do the business ... it's really whether Stephen himself wants to go on and no one really knows that."
National selector Trevor Hohns said he would speak with Waugh in Brisbane later this week, with the captain's future to affect the make-up of the squad.
If Waugh plays on for Australia, the race for a reserve batting spot will become even tighter with rising NSW star Michael Clarke further enhancing his claims.
Clarke and Queensland pair Martin Love and Ashley Noffke can boost their claims during the Pura Cup final, although Hohns expected most of the selection issues were already settled.
"I would hate to say that there is a lot hinging on this match," Hohns said today.
"There are a few blokes on show who are a realistic chance.
"In our minds, we have most of the squad already down and it's a matter of checking the form of some players this weekend."
Noffke has plenty to gain if he can skittle the Blues again after barging through their top order at the SCG last Friday.
He could nudge West Australian Brad Williams out of a bowling spot after taking 35 wickets at an average of 20.74 for Queensland this season.
©
CharlieG
12 Mar 2003, 14:37
Is the Windies tour a 15 or 14 man squad??? If it's 14, I'd expect the squad to go like this;
Hayden
Langer
Gilchrist
Ponting
Lehmann
Love
Martyn
Waugh OR Clarke, depending on Waugh's decision
McGrath
Gillespie
Lee
Bichel
Hogg
MacGill
If it's 15, who will be the other? Bowler, batsman, all-rounder? There is a huge number of possible choices. Hauritz would be the obvious choice for a spinner, but fast bowling throws up Bracken, Noffke and Williams. All-rounder would be Shane Watson, or maybe Blewett? Batsmen would be down to Clarke, unless Waugh retires, and then who? Maher? Hussey? Campbell? Katich? There is a HUGE question mark over that position....
Might as well name Gillespie's replacement when naming the squad.
roostersgal4eva
12 Mar 2003, 15:20
Originally posted by JUBJUB
Might as well name Gillespie's replacement when naming the squad.
:rolleyes: :(
they are going to name 15
lamby29
12 Mar 2003, 18:27
Hayden
Langer
Ponting
Martyn
Waugh
Lehmann
Gilchrist
Lee
Gillespie
MacGill
McGrath
Hogg
Bichel
Love
Clarke
Still Crowing
12 Mar 2003, 19:44
Originally posted by lamby29
Hayden
Langer
Ponting
Martyn
Waugh
Lehmann
Gilchrist
Lee
Gillespie
MacGill
McGrath
Hogg
Bichel
Love
Clarke
Sounds like a pretty good squad, with Bracken or Noffke to jump in for Dizzy if he can't prove his fitness/recover in time. I think the lure of India in India, esp. the way they got us last time when following on (V.V.S. Laxman, what have you done lately? *mumbles and grumbles*) will be too much for the great man. I will be able to be knocked down with a feather if Stephen Rodger doesn't go to the Windies.
Kasey
bunsen burner
12 Mar 2003, 19:53
Originally posted by lamby29
Hayden
Langer
Ponting
Martyn
Waugh
Lehmann
Gilchrist
Lee
Gillespie
MacGill
McGrath
Hogg
Bichel
Love
Clarke I'd be surprised if it was any different. If Waugh doesn't tour, I think they would be happy with either 14, or maybe taking Noffke with development rather than playing in mind.
Originally posted by lamby29
Hayden
Langer
Ponting
Martyn
Waugh
Lehmann
Gilchrist
Lee
Gillespie
MacGill
McGrath
Hogg
Bichel
Love
Clarke
Doubt they'll take eight batsman. I think one more pace bowler will go instead, most likely Brad Williams.
dr nick
12 Mar 2003, 20:11
i suspect the pura cup final will determine who gets the nod out of love and clarke.
Vindaloo Mat
12 Mar 2003, 20:33
when do they come to India ?
red+black
13 Mar 2003, 12:26
are the ACB going to ask all players whether they intend to continue playing test cricket? this is a joke, actually an outrage. has he said he has retired? no. well, he must still be a test cricketer then. :rolleyes:
wagstaff
13 Mar 2003, 19:39
If he's continuing just to go to India then that's pretty selfish if you ask me.
Certainly his form in the latter half of the summer warrants a spot in the touring side, but does that mean he has to go automatically? Why not go out on a high instead of racking up the average above 50 against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe?
red+black
13 Mar 2003, 19:46
he's dreaming if he reckons he'll get to india. yes he made that statement, but it was a stupid one. he should go to the west indies, although he should step down as captain as david hookes suggested, and hand the reins over to Ponting. After that tour, he should either retire, or just dropped.
dr nick
13 Mar 2003, 20:50
Originally posted by wagstaff
If he's continuing just to go to India then that's pretty selfish if you ask me.
Certainly his form in the latter half of the summer warrants a spot in the touring side, but does that mean he has to go automatically? Why not go out on a high instead of racking up the average above 50 against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe?
you would therefore brand everyone in the side selfish with that sort of attitude. fact is our side will be stronger for his presence if he goes to the carribean (thats why selectors pick him) and if he still warrants selection when india comes around, then obviously he has every right to go.
OldLion
13 Mar 2003, 20:51
Steve Waugh is in a rich vein of form - his knock in the 1 day final was spectacular. I was watching some highlights of his innings in 1989 - majestic stuff - and he's almost back to that ( except he now does the slog-sweep ). He seems to have harnessed the 'competative ferocity' and is out there to show everyone. This seems to give him focus and will. If his body holds out, go to India. He's almost a god there.
dr nick
13 Mar 2003, 20:51
Originally posted by red+black
he's dreaming if he reckons he'll get to india. yes he made that statement, but it was a stupid one. he should go to the west indies, although he should step down as captain as david hookes suggested, and hand the reins over to Ponting. After that tour, he should either retire, or just dropped.
what a ridiculous suggestion. why would he tour and not captain. is something wrong with his captaincy of late?
Wicked Lester
14 Mar 2003, 07:48
Originally posted by nicko18
what a ridiculous suggestion. why would he tour and not captain. is something wrong with his captaincy of late?
Perhaps because it would be the ultimate team thing to do - ensure the team is smoothly transitioned to the next captian, but be still available as a batsman and sounding board if required.
Personally I think he'll be pensioned off post the Windies tour. There will be no better time to bring in MArtin Love full time (or hopefully a Michael Clarke) than against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.
As for the selectors demanding an answer I think its fair enough.
Waugh stated after the test series that he would make a declaration on his future. He also made a point of noting that he would only take a week or so to do so and would not be stringing it our for months. Hasn't happended = the selectors need to know whether he's available or not.
dr nick
14 Mar 2003, 08:09
this is a MUST WIN tournament for us. you therefore pick your best side. you also pick your best captain too. you dont go fiddling around with combinations possibly risking this series in the hope that one in the future will be better off. did mark taylor let steve waugh have a few teething matches to prepare? did alan border for mark taylor? this is test cricket for heavens sake.
look at pakistan and what happens when they switch captains.
red+black
14 Mar 2003, 09:10
the phrase for today is: Succession Planning.
did i say there was a problem with his captaincy?
I agree, the West Indies tour is very very important. If we lose the series, we won't regain #1 on the ICCTC table for quite a long time (possibly 2 years).
Even so, it would be a brave and humbling gesture by Steve. You mention recent captains. Comparing us to Pakistan is ridiculous. AB and Tubs handed down good Australian teams. If Steve hangs on for too long, he could damage the short to medium term future of Australian cricket. If he hangs on and hands Punter a team without himself, Shane, as well as a couple more ageing players, then we could end up with a team struggling to regain #1 status.
Like I said, pick him for the Windies tour. But that's it. There would be no reason to pick him beyond that.
dr nick
14 Mar 2003, 17:39
Originally posted by red+black
the phrase for today is: Succession Planning.
did i say there was a problem with his captaincy?
I agree, the West Indies tour is very very important. If we lose the series, we won't regain #1 on the ICCTC table for quite a long time (possibly 2 years).
Even so, it would be a brave and humbling gesture by Steve. You mention recent captains. Comparing us to Pakistan is ridiculous. AB and Tubs handed down good Australian teams. If Steve hangs on for too long, he could damage the short to medium term future of Australian cricket. If he hangs on and hands Punter a team without himself, Shane, as well as a couple more ageing players, then we could end up with a team struggling to regain #1 status.
Like I said, pick him for the Windies tour. But that's it. There would be no reason to pick him beyond that.
that is a ridiculous argument spoken by someone who clearly has an anti NSW, or anti Waugh bias. the team is without waugh and warne already. to suggest that players who are older than a certain age should retire regardless of talent and form is ridiculous.
red+black
16 Mar 2003, 13:06
get yer hand off it. why does everything has to be anti-NSW or pro-NSW? i'm sure you're aggrieved that junior was dropped prematurely as well. whatever.