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Day 5: Waugh's Final Dig

Wednesday, January 7 2004

The past 18 years of cricket's life flashed before its eyes as Steve Waugh completed his final day in Australian colours, finishing with a typical 80 to finish a winner despite the result.

As Australia and India entered Day 5 of the final Test of a colossal series with a draw the only real option, most would expect a near empty house.

As 25 000 spectators entered the gates and the customary que for entry entered the car park for a fifth day, all hoped to see one man only in action - Steve Waugh.

The main focus for the spirited Indians was to remove the 10 foreseeable objects in their path to glory - an unlikely event in the context of the match.

Openers Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer proved circumspect early on, with Hayden (30) being the first dismissed by a sharp catch to Rahul Dravid at first slip from Anil Kumble - India's great white hope.

Shortly before lunch an aggressive Langer targeted first innings foe Murali Kartik with a bold drive - only for the grip of his bat to be lost in his hands and the ball clasped in
Sehwag's after an impressive 47.

Before and after lunch, Ricky Ponting and Damien Martyn lead Australia's innings in solid yet unspectacular fashion, seemingly setting for a chase in the afternoon.

However, Martyn (40) proved to fall at an inopportune time - caught by the substitute at short fine leg from a top-edged sweep to a bouncing Kumble delivery - and Australia's afternoon chase was thrown in disarray.

The wicket marked Kumble's 10th for the match, proving his sheer quality with the ball was no longer reserved for crumbling Kolkata or mayhem in Mumbai.

Enter the captain.

As the crowd politely applauded Martyn's efforts, it was with a corner of the eye that they were focused on the Australian dressing room and an unforgettable moment in Australian sporting history.

To an uneducated follower, the applause was boisterous. To hardened cricket fans, it was as hard earned as his career average and his baggy green cap.

Immortality awaited Waugh as he strode to the crease, at no great pace, in no great fuss, for the final time in Test cricket.

Despite a rash shot third delivery the skipper settled into the crease with his usual panache.

In another setback for the Australians, captain-elect Ricky Ponting fell to a soft caught and bowled chance from Irfan Pathan to leave Australia four wickets down midway through the second session.

Fortunately, Waugh found an able and in-form ally in a reborn Simon Katich, and the pair batted fruitfully until close to stumps, both passing 50.

For the captain, a fairytale century was on the cards as he reached 80 with 5 overs of play remaining before Kumble was rewarded for his toil with the crowning wicket of Waugh, caught fittingly by Sachin Tendulkar.

While the script was not quite perfect, it was close to - a strong crowd, cheering on a favourite son as he pulled up stumps while he still could.

The noise was deafening, no doubt heard in suburbs away and far Indian villages that were light years from the SCG.

Yet the impact of the blow was the same - the world has seen a legend, playing as only he can, for one last, special, time.

Hence, Adam Gilchrist hah a hard act to follow, and 3 balls later followed those very footsteps back to the pavilion following a nifty stumping by Parthiv Patel when on 4.

Safely, Katich (77*) and Jason Gillespie (4*) negotiated the remainder of the day to ensure the inevitable draw.

For the Indians, Anil Kumble had taken 4/138 from a mammoth 42 overs - a total of 12 wickets and a meagre 88.5 overs - while Pathan and Kartik took a token wicket each.

Yet the day belonged to Waugh. So uniquely Australian, the quintessential Aussie battler who's career consisted of an orgy of runs and wickets in the Baggy Green.

Australia's hero was hoisted high on the shoulders of team-mates, almost as far as the sky. One would forgive Waugh for having his head in the clouds at such a moment.

Through the praise, the ceremonies and the endless thank you festivities, Waugh remained true to himself - private, sincere, deeply deeply humble.

Legendary.

And the archetypal Australian hero we know and love.

Scores: Stumps Day 5

India 7 dec. 705 (S Tendulkar 241*, VVS Laxman 178, V Sehwag 72, P Patel 62, A Chopra 45)

Australia 474 (S Katich 125, J Langer 117, M Hayden 67, J Gillespie 47, S Waugh 40; A Kumble 8/141)

India 2 dec. 211 (R Dravid 91*, S Tendulkar 60*, V Sehwag 47)

Australia 6/357 (S Waugh 80, S Katich 77*, R Ponting 47, J Langer 47, D Martyn 40; A Kumble 4/138)

Match Drawn.

Cricket Web Player-of-the-Match: Sachin Tendulkar.

Cricket Web Players-of-the-Series: Rahul Dravid (India), Ricky Ponting (Australia).

Series Drawn 1-1 - India retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Posted by Andre