Cricket World Cup: talent-rich Australia could be own worst enemy, says Steve Waugh

WORLD Cup-winning captain Steve Waugh knows what it takes to claim the biggest prize in ODI cricket - and he has a major fear for this Australian team.

Australia World Cup Cricket training at Adelaide Oval. Steve Waugh at training to help and advise. Photo Sarah Reed.

WORLD Cup-winning captain Steve Waugh has warned Australia’s players that their biggest enemy in the big matches will be themselves.

The Test and one-day great was called into camp by Australia coach Darren Lehmann to mix with his squad ahead of Friday’s quarterfinal showdown against Pakistan.

Waugh led his fair share of star-studded teams including the one that peaked to produce the “perfect” game against Pakistan in the 1999 Cup final at Lord’s.

Waugh and the Australia team celebrates their World Cup final win over Pakistan.

But he knows that being the best can also be a double-edged sword.

A mindset of, ‘there’s so much talent within the walls of this dressing room, if I fail someone else will pick up the slack’ can easily creep in.

Waugh addressed players at a team dinner on Tuesday night, not about ’99 or Pakistan, but about the perils of being the most talented team in the world.

“Australia can definitely go all the way, they’ve got all bases covered,” said Waugh on Wednesday.

“Their only danger is if they’ve got so much talent, you can sometimes leave it up to the next person.

Waugh at Australia training.

“I know they’ve talked about that and covered off.

“That’s the only danger for Australia if they just switch off and leave it for someone else to do the job.”

Lehmann has utilised former greats all through the campaign, including Geoff Marsh and Ian Healy.

But there are few luminaries with as much gravitas as Waugh.

The 49-year-old fielded questions in a casual format from players, but in a sense it was Waugh who was doing all the learning.

Waugh has been blown away by the number of support staff around cricket teams these days, but primarily the intensity of the team’s preparation.

And he didn’t miss a chance to let the players know how they’ve let down previous generations either.

“I just said a few words about the World Cup, the current team and how they embarrass me,” he said.

“When I watch a classic match on TV and we’re getting 220 and these guys are getting 400.

“The session (Wednesday) was high class in quality and very intense.

“It was take no prisoners with the bowling. There was short stuff there and guys were playing as if they were in a match situation.

“We tried to build ourselves (in ’99) up towards the bigger games and really switch on the intensity button and focus on what we were doing.

“That was 18 months in the making and we played the perfect game at the right time.

“I think Australia have built themselves up nicely over the last couple of weeks.

Waugh watches over training.

“You can see now with the way they’ve trained they’re primed and ready for the big games.

“World Cups are about getting momentum at the right time in the tournament.”

One of Lehmann’s biggest concerns this campaign has been the pressures of a home World Cup, given Australia handled it so poorly back in 1992.

Waugh told players the key was to simplify it all.

It’s just a game.

“Sometimes you get caught up in these big tournaments and put too much pressure on yourself,” he said.

“At the end of the day, it’s about why did you first start playing cricket?

“Because you love the game, and nothing’s changed.

“Don’t forget that when you get out there for the big games.”