Austin Waugh, Test great Stephen Waugh’s son, back on track after quitting cricket

Austin Waugh, the son of Test legend Stephen, has rocketed back from the wilderness to snare his first senior NSW cap and is following his dream of becoming a professional cricketer.

Austin Waugh playing for Randwick Petersham. Picture: Peter Bannigan

Austin Waugh has rocketed back from the wilderness to snare his first senior NSW cap and is now pushing ahead with his dream of becoming a professional cricketer.

The son of legendary Test captain Stephen admits he fell out of love with the game following a three-year period where after representing Australian under 19s, he quit cricket altogether.

But suddenly Austin is back, and the now 25-year-old has blasted four first grade centuries as an opening batsman for his new Premier club Randwick-Petersham this season, earning selection for the NSW second XI.

“I took a bit of time away from cricket to find the love for it again and rediscover myself as a person outside of cricket as well,” Waugh said.

Austin Waugh playing for Randwick-Petersham in the Sydney grade competition. Picture: Peter Bannigan, Randwick Petersham

“I really enjoyed my cricket from about 15 onwards to about 18 and really enjoyed myself for those underage tournaments.

“For myself, I just got immersed in cricket too much. I didn’t really have a life outside of cricket and I did have a tough year when I was 19, I didn’t really do too well, so I lost the love for the game.

“I needed to take some time away to rediscover myself as a person and not base my self-worth on how I was doing performance wise with cricket.”

Accepting a chance invitation to play a one-off game of park cricket with a friend reignited Waugh’s love of the game, and after one season back with his former club Sutherland, the young all-rounder has found a home at Randwick-Petersham and taken his game to the next level.

Waugh is working part-time as a traffic controller and devoting the rest of his energy into trying to climb the ladder into the ranks of professional cricket.

Steve Waugh and son Austin at the SCG in 2003. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Austin Waugh carries drinks to Josh Hazlewood during Day 1 of 4th Test match between Australia and India at the SCG. Picture. Phil Hillyard

“Coming back, I really want to enjoy my cricket. I haven’t actually been focusing too much on the future, just really taking it one game at a time,” Waugh said.

“To answer your question, I’d obviously like to be a professional cricketer. I just know I have to go out there and perform well and if I enjoy my cricket, that will just take care of itself I guess.

“Being away for that period of time has enabled me to mature a bit as well and put everything into perspective.

“In grade cricket you could go for a month without batting, it’s a lot harder. You’re playing every second week and you might get rained off.

“I’m trying not to force things this year, knowing that I’ve put in the hard work and I’m good enough and doing well over the weekend doesn’t define me as a person. So accepting some weeks I might score some runs and other weeks I might not.”

Austin Waugh playing for Randwick Petersham. Picture: Peter Bannigan

Father Stephen Waugh met with Randwick-Petersham President Mike Whitney before Austin made the switch, and he and mother Lynette have been regulars at his matches this season.

“I had plenty of support (during my break), not just from my dad, but my mum and people around me,” Austin said.

“They totally understood that I needed a break, so there was no pressure at all from dad. He just wanted me to enjoy myself again and enjoy what I was doing. He’s always been there to support me through any decision I’ve made.”

Former Australian captain Steve Waugh throws to his son Austin in the nets back in 2013.

Whitney believes Austin Waugh is good enough to play first-class cricket for NSW and said his advice for him upon arriving at Randwick-Petersham was simply to blaze his own path.

“I said to him, ‘I just want to see Austin, mate.’ I want to see you, Austin Waugh. I want you to go out and play like Austin and enjoy it like Austin wants to,” Whitney said.

“I know Austin has that burning desire back. He’s fallen back in love with the game again and that’s evident by the way he’s playing.

“I’ve seen him score a couple of those hundreds. Wow. He can really play.

“I don’t know whether he realises how good he is because he can bowl really good seamers as well and he’s a gun in the field. He’s got the whole all-rounder thing covered off and he’s had a great year for us.

“This NSW second XI selection is a reward. He’s put his head down and worked really hard.”

Originally published as Austin Waugh, Test great Stephen Waugh’s son, back on track after quitting cricket