Steve Waugh to retire

[red+black]

Waugh at peace, one last big campaign before retirement (http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/10/02/1064988342774.html)

Steve Waugh has indicated this will be his last summer of Test cricket in Australia, meaning his farewell tour starts at the WACA Ground next week.

Waugh, the Australian captain who has led his team in more Test victories than any other skipper, has targeted elusive victory against India on the subcontinent next year as his ultimate goal. That series next September may mark the end of nearly 20 years in the Australian team.

If so, this summer will be his last opportunity to score a ton at the WACA Ground, the only arena in Australia at which he is yet to make three figures. "I'm not exactly sure when it's going to be but there's a good chance this will be the last time I play in Perth," Waugh said. "And you always want to go out on a good note."

Waugh scored 99 not out at the WACA Ground against England nine seasons ago. "I won't mind if that is the best score I get in Perth but of course you would like to get a hundred," he said. "I've always enjoyed playing here."

Barring an extreme run of poor form, Waugh's exit from international cricket will be of his own choosing and will follow away series in Sri Lanka and India next year. Both offer him the chance to redeem series losses earlier in his captaincy.

Let's see the Perth ton. And I think we'll do well in the subcontinent next year. Well done Steve. Wish you'd get up to 100 test wickets mate.

[the_big_sav]

if i was him i would retire at the end of the next aussie summer not india the one after who ever that is

[IceTemple]

He has been a brilliant player & Captain for Australia ans while it would be sad ti see him go (and the closing of anither era) it would give his fans a chance to farewell him properly.

Also (just to be cynical:p ) with us playing a minow side it would help the crowds enormously!!

[dr nick]

Originally posted by the_big_sav
if i was him i would retire at the end of the next aussie summer not india the one after who ever that is if i was him i'd do that too, but the number of people wanting to drag you down for doing so, it's incredible.
i remember the ridiculing he got from people in this forum when he said during the ashes he wanted to play India 2004

[red+black]

i can recall my feeling at the time thinking that the indian tour was a long way away. i assumed that it would have been in 2005 or 2006. and my reaction at the time was that he shouldn't look that far ahead.

with the end drawing near, i do sincerely hope that he turns a new leaf and that we see half decent sportsmanship from the team that he captains.

[wagstaff]

Originally posted by red+black

with the end drawing near, i do sincerely hope that he turns a new leaf and that we see half decent sportsmanship from the team that he captains.

I think you'd have to wait till Ponting takes over as captain. Waugh has repeatedly said that he thinks the issue of sledging and player behaviour is overrated, and that their behaviour isn't as bad as its made out. He's continued to say this even after the McGrath/Sarwan incident.

Under Ponting, Australia have managed to play just as well, and have managed to generally curb in their obnoxious behaviour, which just goes to show that you don't have to be obnoxious on the ground to be successful.

As for Waugh's prospective retirement, this was a bit of a non-story, as Waugh has said regularly over the past two years that he would like to finish his career by winning in India in late-2004.

[Yianni]

Originally posted by wagstaff
As for Waugh's prospective retirement, this was a bit of a non-story, as Waugh has said regularly over the past two years that he would like to finish his career by winning in India in late-2004.

If they don't win in India, will Waugh hang around until 2007?

[muesli]

If i was Waugh i'd retire after the 2005 Ashes in England.

[Cupido13]

Originally posted by wagstaff
Under Ponting, Australia have managed to play just as well, and have managed to generally curb in their obnoxious behaviour, which just goes to show that you don't have to be obnoxious on the ground to be successful.

In all the cricket I have played any sledging that has gone on has made absolutely no difference to the result. If sledging affects you that badly, you would not be mentally strong enough to bat through 15 minutes of a test match, let alone make enough runs to help win one.

[red+black]

sledging should be down by half with mcgrath out for a while. he seems like such a nice bloke off the pitch, on it, he's a feral prick.

[wagstaff]

Originally posted by Cupido13
If sledging affects you that badly, you would not be mentally strong enough to bat through 15 minutes of a test match, let alone make enough runs to help win one.

If that is the case, how can McGrath have been such a successful bowler considering his inability to handle some banter from Ramanesh Sarwan during the Caribbean tour?

I don't agree with the belief that sledging is a 'test of character'. In my mind, it's just an excuse for obnoxious and self-indulgent behaviour. In a way it belittles the capabilities of the Australian side that sledging and verbal byplay is an essential part of their style of play - they are a supremely talented and displined side who don't need such tawdry tactics to win matches.

[^Eagle^]

nooooooooooo :( :( :(

[GoEagles]

Steve Waugh saying he'll retire is like John Farnham having a last tour date :D