Once upon a time, Shane Warne and Steve Waugh were best buddies.
As part of the mighty Australian side of the 1990s and 2000s, they were unconquerable; united in victory presiding over the world of cricket.
Right?
Wrong!
Shane Warne, in a reality TV show, called his former skipper “the most selfish cricketer I have played with”.
The reference was to his axing from the final Test in 1999 when Australia toured the West Indies.
Waugh initially preferred not to respond to the attack, issuing a curt statement that read:
“I’m not justifying his comments with an answer.”
He later opened up to commercial radio station Triple M.
“To be fair, not only Shane, any player I had to tell was dropped wasn’t easy. It wasn’t easy telling Adam Dale he was dropped for a Test match or Greg Blewett,” Waugh revealed.
“There were a number of players I had to tell they weren’t playing. As a captain, that is the hardest thing to do. But it’s also why you’re the captain, because people expect you to make the tough decisions for the benefit of the team.
“You have got to do that at times and you have got to be prepared not to be liked by everyone.
“I guess the main thing as a captain and leader, as long as people respect your decision, that is all you can ask. You have got to take a bit of a risk sometimes.
“It’s not always the obvious thing to do. Sometimes it can be gut feel, it can be based on facts… at the end of the day, you are a leader because people expect you to make a choice.”
Great teams need great players. And it goes without argument that these two giants of Australian cricket count among them.
But it doesn’t necessarily mean that they always see eye to eye on all matters.
Even the best of friends fall out when their interests collide. And Warne was a strong contender for the top job in Australian cricket, only to be denied by the establishment.
The spin king would have made a great skipper, but better than Waugh? That’s debatable.
Whatever the case, for a team to do well, their stalwarts have to subsume their differences towards a common goal.
Waugh and Warne were able to do that.
Soon after their rift, the Aussie side lifted the 1999 ODI World Cup with Warne coming good in the semi-finals and final, bagging man of the match awards. This after the side were almost knocked out of the tournament by South Africa.
Yes, they weren’t the best of pals, and they still aren’t. But they were also seekers of excellence in their respective fields.
It just goes to show that you don’t need to be the best of buddies to be teammates. You just need to be able to meet on common ground to get things done in the best manner possible.
Teammates, yes. BFFs, no.
It’s possible that team members can become best friends. But it’s not necessary that best buddies make the best teammates.
Paradoxical, yes. Untrue, no.
Linus Fernandes
Roar Rookie
I guess the question really is is whether Warne would have become a better role-model had he been made skipper instead of Waugh. I somehow doubt that. That's a big if and there can be no clear-cut answers. Michael Clarke made a good job of it but he had no real challengers for the position. Was the Warne who skippered RR the same care-a-damn player who turned out in Aussie colours?
Dasilva
Guest
If Warne was captain and the diuretics scandal happened. He would have been sacked there and this could have potentially cost Australia the 2003 World Cup. It's one thing to lose your star player before a tournament but it's another thing to lose your captain as well. I think the diuretic ban proved Cricket Australia right for picking Waugh as captain
Linus Fernandes
Guest
The original article can be found here: http://maketimeforsports.com/2016/02/16/shane-warne-and-steve-waugh-still-cant-buddy-up/
Linus Fernandes
Roar Rookie
Warne supplied his teammates at RR the confidence to believe that they could beat any side on any given day. The likes of Yusuf Pathan blossomed under his tutelage. Are you implying that getting the best out of his team did not require man-management skills?
Linus Fernandes
Roar Rookie
Waugh is a better role-model than Warne, that's for sure.
Linus Fernandes
Roar Rookie
I agree, in general, a short period of time isn't an indicator of how someone would fare over a longer period. However, I don't believe that holds for Shane Warne. I'm also sure that if there was no Steve Waugh in the side, Warne would have been an automatic choice as skipper. After all, it was the same Establishment that swore in Michael Clarke, and see how that turned out for them.
Andy Hill
Guest
I like Warne on the field but Waugh was a legend on and off the field, the work he has done off the field is legendary
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Success in one short period doesn't really prove his point wrong. The cost of the side is also somewhat not relevant as in T20's infancy it's likely player value was skewed by profile, not T20 performances.
Linus Fernandes
Guest
Thanks for commenting, Paul D. Warne did exceedingly well as a skipper-mentor of Rajasthan Royals in the initial IPL leading the least expensive side in the tourney to the title. Paul D, you're wrong!
bigbaz
Roar Guru
Imagine Warne as an ex Aussie captain, I shudder. He would make Ian Chappell seem like an oracle.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Well said.
Paul D
Roar Guru
I still remember that time Shane was on the AFL footy show and Sam Newman ripped into him during an interview "you've never given a stuff about the other 10 blokes ever" The truest thing he ever said. Anyways, my thoughts on Warney is probably the same as most people's - genius player, but an absolute nob. Tactically he might have been one of the very best skippers, but as a man-manager, someone who could get the most out of players - terrible.