M.Waugh- The connoisseur’s delight Part-2

So in this part of the article I would continue to talk about the graceful player from Australia.

So, after a successful world cup in 96 he yet again showed his class in 97 at Port Elizabith on what can be described as a very difficult wicket to bat on. The Saffers had lost the first test at wanderers on a relatively flat deck so, under pressure the groundsmen at PE spiced up the wicket. Yes,the wicket was still slow but there was lots of grass on the wicket and it was uneven too which made sure that batting on that wicket against let it be genuine quicks like Donald, dibbly dobbly medium pacers like Cronje or wrist spinners like Bevan and Warne very difficult. As expected SA and Australia did not make huge scores in that match as Australia finally required 270 to win the match and series and one has to say that considering the nature of the pitch it looked like a daunting task but as I said that Mark had the uncanny ability to come good when the conditions were difficult and there was pressure on the team to perform. Anyhow in the second innings Donald bowled quick but Mark showed great temperament and exemplary technique to handle Donald and when he would bowl short he took heavy toll on him as well as on the left arm chinaman bowler Adams. The Saffers finally dismissed him but it was too late as Aussies went onto defeat South Africa. The Wisden in its rankings rightfully recognises it as one of the best innings of all time!

In 1997 itself I also remember his fabulous shot of Vettori against NZ at Perth. He just came down the wicket and hit him with effortless ease into the stands. Till now I have not seen a six which has gone further than that one and he did it with so much ease! In that year he also played a gusty knock at Adelaide against SA to save the match. Again not many associate Mark with gusty knocks but as I said that under pressure Mark was very good!

He also played a fine knock at Madras against Kumble and co. In that knock he used his footwork beautifully against Kumble, and Harbie.

The betting scandal did affect his batting as his form got worse still he showed glimpses of what he can do again on difficult tracks like at Auckland where the track turned a lot and there was uneven bounce. Vettori almost looked unplayable in that match but of of course Mark played a delightful knock of 80 odd and helped Aussies to gain the vital lead which proved decisive in a low scoring match. It was something to see batsmen struggling at one end but on the other side Mark was using his feet brilliantly to Vettori and taking him to the cleaners.

As the time went on his form became erratic. Yes, he still had his moments like in England in 2001 but he played his final test in 2002 at Sarjah against Pakistan. I still remember that final innings of Mark when he played two glorious cover drives of Saqlain only to lose his concentration and get out to Saqlain. It was something which had become a sort of pattern with regards to his batting late in his career. It was sad to see him play his final knock in front of empty stands at Sarjah but as they say all good things have to come to an end!

I surely have to touch a bit on his fielding skills as he was an outstanding fielder. As we know that he was a great slip fielder and some of the catches he took like that of Haq at Hobart were just too good to be true! I have also seen him field at places like deep mid wicket and look as good as he did in the inner field! He even fielded at point before Ponting came on to the scene and if I remember correctly he ran out Hooper with a brilliant direct hit in a WSC game in early 90’s from that position and add to it that run out of Donald in the 99 WC.

Finally I would say that he was one of the few players I would pay to watch. He was a true match winner which SURPRISINGLY MANY OF THEM FORGET WHEN THEY JUDGE A PLAYER.