da bet7： When Steve Waugh takes the field in Guyana for the first Test match of theAustralia-West Indies series, he will eclipse Allan Border and become the most capped player inthe history of the game
da dobrowin： David Wiseman10-Apr-2003When Steve Waugh takes the field in Guyana for the first Test match of theAustralia-West Indies series, he will eclipse Allan Border and become the most capped player inthe history of the game.It is a remarkable achievement and testimony toWaugh’s endurance and durability.To play international cricket for 17 yearsmeans not only that you are incredibly talented over a vast stretch of timebut that you are also very lucky regarding injuries.Waugh made his debut against India aged 19 years and six months scoring13 and five. It was not until his 27th Test, against England, thathe posted his first century.After beginning his career as a bit of a dasher, Waugh restrained himselfand became a run accumulator. Many a time he was the backbone of theAustralian innings, especially when they were in trouble.One of Waugh’s most memorable knocks was quite apt as it was Brad Hogg’sone and only Test match, to date. After making aduck in the first innings, Waugh wanted to make amends in the second.Australia faced a 179-run deficit on the first innings and were four for 78 in thesecond when he strode to the crease.In four and a half hours, he fought andscrapped his way to an unbeaten 67 from 221 balls with just five fours. Hewatched six partners fall at the other end as he dug in tooth and nail forAustralia. In the oppressive heat and stifling humidity, Waugh had tosingle-handedly take on an Anil Kumble who was on top of his game.Waugh has been repeatedly knocked down but he has got to his feet and risenevery time. For 19 months; from April 1991 to November 1992 he was out ofthe Test team. Sounds like a long time but in reality it was just nineTests.He has also missed Tests through injury but for the better part of the last12 years, Waugh has been the heart and soul of the team, inspiring his teammates, wanting them to be better cricketers.With the bat, Waugh sits in the lower middle-order and is often the link betweenthe top and bottom halves of the batting line-up. Waugh has scored a record5997 runs batting at No 5 at 54.52 whilst he has compiled an equallyimpressive 3034 runs at 49.74 in the No 6 spot.His fielding in the gully-point-cover region is superb. Sadly,he has not done as much bowling in recent times but he has compensated forthat by being captain.Waugh cares about the heritage of the game. The culture and tradition of it.Under him, players are made to appreciate what number Test cricketer theyare for their country. They’re made to acknowledge the deeds of those whohave gone before them.For Waugh, this may be an incredible milestone and one which he will reflecton once he finally hangs up his whites but for the moment he will betreating it like every one of his 156 other Test matches – doing his darnedestto win it for Australia.
