Waugh - Mark Waugh: The Biography

I ts a great pleasure to be asked to write about one of my all-time favourite cricketers. I have a very soft spot for Junior Waugh because of what he has brought to the game. Unlike me, with my often intense style, Mark is very laid-back, easygoing, and has never become too frustrated, yet he is as competitive as anyone, and has that rare streak of genius that makes him a very special player.

Ive got no doubt that he can be considered one of the games greats, not only because of his gifted batting, but also for his exceptional all-round ability. First, look at some of the catches he has taken. Some have defied description, and although they mightnt have looked fantastic, we knew as cricketers that they were freakish. One moment stands out during the second Test against Pakistan in Hobart in 19992000, when Mark turned the match with a catch to dismiss Inzamam-ul-Haq. Justin Langer and Adam Gilchrist quite rightly got the credit for winning the Test after their magnificent centuries, but Australia was only allowed to get to that stage because of what had happened before. Before Mark took that catch off Shane Warnes bowling, the Test was slipping away from Australia, then all of a sudden his brilliance allowed his team to get back into it. There werent too many players of any era who could have taken that catch. Even though he didnt score many runs in that game, Junior kept us in it by turning the momentum. That ability alone makes him a priceless player.

Then we have his bowling. In his younger years he bowled quickish medium pace. He was very aggressive, loved bouncing batsmen, and often made vital breakthroughs. His off-spinners were just as valuable because he claimed some very big wickets with them, and once again he had the knack of getting them when Australia really needed them.

And what can you say about his batting? I have been at the other end when he has been in full flight and Ive just had to shake my head and think, Gee this bloke is something out of the ordinary. Those sorts of players dont come along too often. Mark has never been a statistical person or a ruthless run accumulator. Hes an entertainer who probably gets bored with himself at times. That has cost him percentage points in statistics, but his value goes so far beyond that. Although he normally scores his runs at a good clip, he has also shown throughout his career that he can play tough when he has needed to. He has been both a matchwinner and match-saver you cant say that about too many players. When he has played well, Australia has won.

I said during the interview for this book that it is no coincidence that Australias success in the last 10 years has coincided with the rise of Mark Waugh. How many other countries can boast one of the best one-day batsmen of all time, one of the best stroke-players of all time, a world record-breaking fieldsman who can turn a match in a split second and can be outstanding anywhere from the slips to the deep, a wicket-taking fast bowler, a wicket-taking slow bowler, a very competitive and aggressive player, someone who is rarely injured, and a player with a very knowledgeable cricket brain. You would have to look a long way to find a collection of cricketers with those abilities, but Mark Waugh has them all rolled into one.

One of my fondest memories of Mark is when he came to replace me at Essex in 1988. I was asked by officials if I knew of a young Australian who might be worth a go. I thought of Mark straight away because he could do everything. He came out in his first game and scored a sensational hundred and took two wickets. The Essex officials were beating the door down to sign him up, and I was left looking like a genius for picking him! He went on to become one of Essexs favourite overseas players, and his time in England helped his development as a cricketer, and obviously helped the future of Australian cricket too.

I have seen the development of Mark from his earliest days as a first-class cricketer. Back then, he gave the impression that he just expected things to happen with his game. But it didnt take him long to realise he had to work hard if he was going to go further. And he has. People who believe it has come too easy for him just dont realise the hours he has put in, his determination and his competitive spirit.

Off the field, I liked the bloke from the first time I met him. At the time he came onto the scene for New South Wales, it was quite extraordinary to see a young bloke who didnt drink a hell of a lot. He didnt like being out of control or having hangovers. He was his own man. And he always has been. As the years went on, we all got to know him as being very image conscious, and at some time or another all his team-mates have given him a ribbing about his hair and his looks. He loves a punt, has a very dry sense of humour, always says what he thinks, and is very loyal to his friends, family and team-mates. Hes just a good bloke to be around.

Being a twin, its obvious he is going to be compared with his brother Stephen, but they both deserve to stand alone as cricketers and as people.

As far as Mark goes, I consider myself very lucky to have played with and against him. Every team he has played for has been lucky, whether it be Bankstown, New South Wales, Essex or Australia. And everyone who has seen him play has been lucky because Mark is simply not the type of player who comes along very often in any sport. Once again I have no hesitation in calling him one of the greats of cricket.

Thanks Junior.

Allan Border

April 2002