Merv Hughes and Mark Waugh were handy cricketers but did they really hold a candle to Mark’s twin brother, the former Australian skipper Steve Waugh?
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Steve’s former vice-captain Shane Warne has re-opened the debate over Waugh’s status in the game with a new book to be launched in London tomorrow titled “Shane Warne’s Century”.
The book is an extended version of the former Test world record-holder’s list of 50 best players which appeared in London newspaper The Times last year.
And again the former Test leg-spinner has ranked Steve Waugh at No.26. Warne has preferred his fellow Victorian Hughes (18th) and another of Warne’s good buddies Mark Waugh (ninth).
Warne’s first Test captain Allan Border is his highest-ranked Australian at No.4 behind West Indians Curtly Ambrose and Brian Lara and Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar, who is No.1.
Warne’s long-time bowling partner Glenn McGrath is ranked fifth.
The five Australians in Warne’s top 10 players also include wicketkeeper Ian Healy (10th) and current skipper Ricky Ponting (eighth).
The puzzling decision last year to rank 27-Test veteran Darren Lehmann at No.25 – one spot above Steve Waugh – has been revised with Lehmann demoted to 32nd.
Warne has done his best to fend off criticism over his treatment of Waugh.
“When I ranked Steve Waugh somewhere in the 20s for my list in The Times, it caused a bit of a stir in Australia, though Waugh himself was fine,” Warne wrote in The Times.
“People tried to suggest there was a problem between us when in actual fact we are friends. They also accused me of jealousy because he succeeded Mark Taylor as captain and I was appointed vice-captain.
“He was a tough, uncompromising player whose captaincy was all about leading by example. We had incredible success under his leadership.”
But Warne, a gambler and card-player, disagreed with Waugh on tactics.
“Waugh took a more conservative approach, and he wasn’t a big risk taker. You could see that in the way he batted,” Warne said.
“Tugga was a wonderful cricketer, who I think got the best out of himself, and that’s all anyone can ask.
“His position in Australian cricketing history is assured …”
Warne’s list from among cricketers whom he had played with or against includes the fiery pairing of South African captain Graeme Smith (44) and ex-Sri Lankan skipper Arjuna Ranatunga (93).
Smith was friendly to Warne during their spell in Jaipur this year as Indian Premier League team-mates.
“We had a laugh and a joke about the things we had said in the past,” Warne said.
“I know he has a few regrets, but, all credit to him, he sees the funny side.”
Warne said he had included Ranatunga “through gritted teeth”.
“When I picked my top 50 for The Times, there were a few accusations that I’d gone for my mates instead of being objective,” he said.
“Well, I hope this choice ends that criticism once and for all, because everybody knows that I don’t like Ranatunga.”
Warne also paid tribute to feisty Indian batsman Sourav Ganguly (96th).
“But he did have the knack of rubbing up opponents (and even teammates when he went to Lancashire) the wrong way without seeming to try very hard,” Warne said.
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dasilva said | October 7th 2008 @ 6:31am | Report comment
When the initial list came out for top 50 players. The criticism he gave Steve Waugh that he was defensive and doesn’t win matches but only save matches could have easily applied to Rahul Dravid who he rated higher and had Warne saying although he wasn’t flashy he had determination, fighting spirit and ability to concentrate and last for a very long period of time. Saying you wonder if its possible to get him out when his mind is set.
I don’t pretend to know what issues are between Waugh and warne but it does seem obvious that there was something between them.
LK said | October 7th 2008 @ 7:57am | Report comment
In Steve Waugh’s first series as capt, in the West Indies, he dropped Shane Warne for MacGilla Gorilla. Must have been a tough one for an egomaniac like Warne to swallow, he still seems to be settling scores. These lists are a bit of a laugh really, they say more Warne than they do about any cricketer in his top 50 or 100 or whatever.
Rickety Knees said | October 7th 2008 @ 3:00pm | Report comment
In military speak, men are accorded the highest honour when they talk about being happy to share a fighting pit with a particular man, meaning that they admire courage under fire and a never say die attitude. I know who I would prefer to have next to me when the hot lead is flying around the ears and its not Warne!
Steve Waugh is the best warrior captain Australian Cricket has had and would be the first person that I would pick in my team.
Redb said | October 7th 2008 @ 3:06pm | Report comment
no way, Allan Border beats Steve Waugh hands down IMO.
Redb
True Tah said | October 7th 2008 @ 3:07pm | Report comment
Rickety Knees,
if its military talk and Waugh and Warne were in the trenches, my money would be on Warne in the infirmary trying to get it on hot and heavy with the nurse!
Rickety Knees said | October 7th 2008 @ 3:16pm | Report comment
TT – Warne would’ve got a VC if it came down to firing his weapon!
Rickety Knees said | October 7th 2008 @ 3:20pm | Report comment
Sorry RedB – Captain Grumpy did’nt have the man management skills that Tugga has, he always managed to get the best out of his players. Grumpy only knew one way – that was to intimidate.
sheek said | October 7th 2008 @ 4:56pm | Report comment
Some interesting comments here.
Yes, Warne does have an axe to grind with Steve Waugh. And yes, it does go back to 1999. Make that a double whammy. Waugh beat Warne to the captaincy, which Warne felt he had a chance of inheriting. Some background here.
Mark Taylor retired after the Ashes tests of 1998-99. Steve Waugh was the inheritor. Warne was returning from shoulder surgery, & wasn’t fully fit. However, before Waugh could assume the captaincy, he himself missed most of the one dayers through injury, with Warne subbing. Warne did a fantastic job, with 2 high profile ex-test captains – Benaud & Ian Chappell – suggesting he wouldn’t disappoint as fulltime national captain.
I think this praise went to Warne’s head, but the board stuck with Waugh as captain for the Windies tour, & thereafter. Waugh dropped Warne from the last test team, & it was justified, because Warne still wasn’t fully fit or on top of his game. Hence, Warne having an axe to grind.
As for Waugh vs Border, I would go for Waugh, who was as mentally tough as Border, but a more perceptive captain, & with a great appreciation of the history & tradition of Australian cricket. It was Waugh, under Border & then Taylor, who suggested players wear the baggy green for the beginning of each innings or day in the field.
Border was the right man for desperate times – a pragmatic, no-nonsense, lead from the front leader, but he was no natural. That said, Australian cricket owes him the earth. I would happily go into the trenches with either man.
Warne is a shallow-minded wuss. But he could bowl leg spin okay!!!!!
Rowdy said | October 7th 2008 @ 7:16pm | Report comment
AB was probably the best captain Aus ever had – he was responsible more than anyone for pulling them out of the mire in the 80s; Taylor (fine captain) and Waugh just inherited what AB had built. Add to that Waugh’s achievement in dragging the standards of behaviour on the pitch to new depths, which the Aus team are only starting to climb out of with the retirement of noted slackjawed gobs like McGrath, and he should count himself lucky to be rated as high as 26. Didn’t he also start this teary-eyed worship of the *gulp* Baggy Green – there’s a difference between respect for the game’s traditions and a maudlin obsession with some of its symbols.
Redb said | October 7th 2008 @ 8:14pm | Report comment
This thing about Warne’s book rating of S Waugh is a NSW thing only, no-one else cares.
that aside, Ricketty,
You said “courage under fire and a never say die attitude” – as rowdy alludes, Border battled the Poms on his own, he fought more rear guard actions than I’ve had hot breakfasts. Waugh batted at 5-6 most of his career, took a long time to get a ton and whilst he finished his career in deserved glory he also captained one the great cricket teams Australia has produced.
AB for me. (actually named one of my boats after the great Aussie battler)
Redb