by Gopal Rangachary
Saturday, November 17, 2001

While it is undisputable that Australia are the best side in the world today, and that Steve Waugh will be remembered as one of the alltime greats of Australian cricket, I am amazed by the reverence (or should I say servitude) with which the media treats him.

For instance, I was amazed to see that most writers gave much more credit to Steve Waugh's declaration at the Gabba last week than to Stephen Fleming's bold decision.

Consider the facts. New Zealand were down and out for most of the game and should have been pleased to escape with a draw against the world champions, which was more or less certain after they avoided the follow-on. New Zealand were whitewashed at home by Australia in 1999-2000, so a 2-0 away defeat would be an improvement.

The target that Steve Waugh set was 285 in 57 overs. But is this really that generous? After all, New Zealand have only once ever scored more than that to win (and in a situation where they were not up against the clock) and no team, at least not in the last 30 years, has achieved a score of 250-plus at an asking-rate of five an over. And when was the last time Australia were beaten at home when the opposition needed that many in the fourth innings?

Let's look at declarations. When Mark Taylor was batting at Hobart in 1997-98 and eventually decided to leave NZ a similar target of 288 in 61 overs, Richie Benaud remarked dryly: "Taylor hasn't timed anything today … not even his declaration."

And in the infamous Centurion Test Nasser Hussain refused to consider a target of anywhere near four an over during discussions with Hansie Cronje.

Now, before Chris Ryan says "but those were dead-rubber games", let's look at some other declarations in games which were very much alive. West Indies v Pakistan at Bridgetown in 1999-2000 - Moin Khan was roundly criticised for a timid approach when he set West Indies 275 in 60 overs (4.6 an over); West Indies v South Africa at the same venue (with SA already up 1-0 in the series) - Shaun Pollock set West Indies 323 in 130 overs (2.5 an over); Pakistan v England at Faisalabad 2000, with the series 0-0 - Moin set England 244 in 65 overs (less than 4 an over). All of them, far less timid than Waugh.

The thing that distinguishes the match at Brisbane is that New Zealand played the game of their lives and almost achieved the impossible - and curiously that has made Steve Waugh a hero.

I have no issue with those who consider Steve Waugh a great captain, but he is no more than someone who wants Australia to win at any cost - and he should be applauded for that. But as for being a wonderful sportsman - remember his so-called catch of Brian Lara in Barbados in 1994-95? Or the kind words he had for Sourav Ganguly, the first captain who didn't want Steve Waugh's autograph tattooed on his forehead? Let's not forget his tactics at Brisbane either: McGrath bowling wides, again perfectly acceptable and just what any captain should have done. But the ultimate sportsman?

Come on folks. You aren't royal correspondents covering the Queen Mother or the Iraqi press talking about Saddam Hussein. Steve Waugh is a great batsman and a wonderful captain; but he doesn't walk on water.

Gopal Rangachary, 30, was born in England, brought up in India, but now works as a financial controller for a company in the Silicon Valley, California. He is a big fan of PG Wodehouse.

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