Australian cricket legend Mark Waugh ribbed over live TV gaffe

Fellow Aussie cricket greats couldn’t hide their amusement when Mark Waugh botched some basic arithmetic on live TV.

Former Australian Test batter Mark Waugh was the butt of jokes after a live TV blunder during the T20 World Cup.

Australia revived their campaign on Thursday evening with a comprehensive victory over Bangladesh in Dubai, chasing a mediocre target with more than 13 overs to spare.

Leg-spinner Adam Zampa claimed career-best figures of 5/19 to help skittle the Tigers for 73, the lowest team total against Australia in T20 history.

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During the innings break, Fox Cricket analysts Brendan Julian, Brett Lee and Waugh discussed how quickly Australia could reach the target, knowing how vital net run rates would be leading into the semi-finals.

“Perfect start for the Aussies, now they’ve got to get it inside, what, 10 overs?” Julian asked.

Waugh replied: “10 overs, maximum! Eight overs. Eight 12s were 76 when I went to school, so … hang on, eight overs.”

Waugh’s botched arithmetic baffled his co-hosts – Lee laughed at the camera while Julian quizzically raised an eyebrow.

"Eight 12s are 76 when I went to school" - Mark Waugh

The faces of @BrettLee_58 and Brendon Julian are priceless 😂 #T20WorldCup#AUSvBANpic.twitter.com/tyYTGOoK5f

— 🏏FlashScore Cricket Commentators (@FlashCric) November 4, 2021

When they returned from an ad break, Julian joked: “Mark Waugh’s been doing his maths.”

Waugh replied: “Nah, I’m not good at maths. Not my strong point at my school.

“I’m thinking they can do two a ball and get it done in six overs.”

The blunder wasn’t missed by the viewers at home either. Australian cricket great and proud Victorian Shane Warne wrote on Twitter: “That would be 96 Junior!!! Must be good schools up there in NSW hahahaha.”

Adam Gilchrist tweeted: “Exquisite touch from the Rolls Royce early in the summer!”

Waugh sheepishly commented: “Normally one of my strong suits as well maths.”

Although Waugh’s maths was off the mark, his thinking proved accurate as Australia chased the target in just under seven overs as predicted.

Coming into Thursday’s match against Bangladesh, Australia was a full net run rate point behind South Africa, who were second in their Super 12 group.

Aaron Finch’s side had a net run rate of -0.627 while the Proteas were sitting pretty at +0.742.

However, Australia lifted their net run rate to +1.031 by demolishing Bangladesh to surge up to second in the group, breathing new life into the campaign. The top two sides from each group progress to the semi-finals.

Australia will next face reigning champions the West Indies on Saturday, with the ball scheduled for 9pm AEDT.