No way it was an easy Test victory, says Steve Waugh
Staff Reporter - 1 March 2001
The Australian skipper Steve Waugh said on Thursday that the 16th
consecutive Test win was not an easy victory. "It was a really tough,
hard game," he said.
Speaking at the post match press conference after his team had wrapped
up the first Test with two days to spare, Waugh said, "It was a great
victory. We backed ourselves and got through the tough times. I am
really proud of the guys."
On his strategy to bowl first in the Test, he said "It was a gamble
that I took. India haven't played good Test match cricket in the last
six months and with the quality attack I had, I thought it fine to put
them in and get some early wickets." He added that the result would
have been different if he did not have faith in his side. "It comes
with experience, you have to keep yourself focussed and be at it and
you will get through the tough times and do well."
The 35-year-old skipper said that he witnessed two great innings from
Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist and he was of the view that "Gilly's
innings set us up." He had high praise for his left handed deputy
adding that he was the perfect number seven batsman. "He can take the
game away from the opposition at any time." he added on the Man of the
match's brilliant century.
Waugh was of the opinion that the turning point of the match was
Tendulkar's wicket. He added that Ricky Ponting produced a very good
catch.
Waugh had some grievances on the nature of the wicket but sidelined
them saying, "It was not an ideal wicket, the ball was going over the
wicket keeper's head even with the spinners bowling. I would say it
was not of Test match standard but we won so we should not be
complaining much about that."
On the Michael Slather incident, the Australian captain said "It was
just an emotional moment and he thought he had held on to the catch.
There was no way Slater could have known if the ball had grounded
before that, because he was still diving ahead to grab it."
Waugh had high praise for the crowd. "They supported the Indian team
but they did cheer us on as well. The crowds were excellent, they
acknowledged good cricket."
In a jovial mood, Waugh remarked that he had worn the same baggy green
cap in all his 133 Test matches. He added "Having Ricky Ponting at
mid-wicket was a good bit of captaincy," and ended the conference on a
smiling mood.
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