My Sporting Idol: Steve Waugh the standard bearer of his time

Twenty-five years ago Steve Waugh made his highest Test score, 200 at Jamaica, to end the West Indies’ long reign.

Steve Waugh raises his bat as he leaves the field with teammate Glenn McGrath after his double century in the fourth Test in Kingston, Jamaica in 1995. Picture: AP

Steve Waugh’s first Test was David Hookes’ last.

The eras kissed and clasped in an all-too-brief embrace at the MCG.

In the years that followed Boxing Day 1985, it appeared Hookes had passed more than a baton to the swashbuckling young Waugh.

Because Waugh, like Hookes, appeared destined to remain unfulfilled.

Hookes made a lone hundred in his 23 Tests. After 26 Tests Waugh had precisely one fewer ton to his name.

What was it Greg Chappell said about picking fruit before it was ripe? Waugh is the Chappell theory in excelsis.

All through those barren early years – and it was years, his maiden hundred was three-and-a-half years after his debut – they called for his head.

Too limited. Can’t play the short ball. Doesn’t convert. Time to bring back Greg Ritchie or blood Glenn Bishop. Heck, Dav Whatmore’s making a truckload for Victoria, let’s slot him in at six. Danny Buckingham anyone?

But the selectors showed the patience of Tavare to hold the line until, well you know what happens next — Waugh made 177 not out in his 42nd Test innings and 152 not out in his 43rd. It was in an Ashes series that Australia reclaimed after losing them in 1985. So behold another seam in the Waugh story, standing as proud as a Dukes’.

Another trough followed the lofty peak of 1989, but like David Boon on the plane, the seal was broken and there was no going back.

But you need to go back to get the essence of Waugh’s allure to teenagers starved of Australian success.

At first blush, Waugh appeared another of those quixotic characters who dwelt in the dark days post Lillee, Marsh and Greg Chappell.

But he just kept having a crack. Bouncing Viv. Bouncing Viv again. Carving Curtly Ambrose’s final ball over extra cover for a six at the SCG.

Two weeks before he hit that six he took that catch at the MCG. Sure, the catch was good but what about avoiding both the sightscreen and Merv Hughes? Which object would have caused the most damage is debatable.

He was David to the hulking West Indian Goliaths. OK, the Goliaths usually won but Waugh always came back, twirling his Symonds Super Tusker like a slingshot.

Waugh was an exemplar for all of us who aspired to operate in more than one discipline. In those days, Australian cricketers of all standards tended to bat, bowl and/or keep wicket.

The modern incessant, annoying and eternal search for an allrounder stems from the decline in the batsman who bowls some handy seamers or can roll out some respectable spin. Think Greg Blewett, Damien Martyn and all three Chappells.

Here we have yet another example of how Australian cricket has changed for the worse. No doubt the “pathways” are responsible. Concentrate on your batting sonny. Forget about those dibby-dobblers. Time for some more range-hitting.

Mark Waugh also bowled. A yard quicker than his twin. He later reverted to offspin whereas Steve kept running in until his body said enough, no more bowling.

Steve’s batting achievements tend to mask the quality of his bowling. Yes, he and Simon O’Donnell pioneered the slower ball, but Steve took 196 ODI wickets — 17 more than Mitchell Starc. He’s sixth on Australia’s list of ODI wicket-takers. Mark divided loyalties when he rose to Test ranks. Ford or Holden, Crawl or Chisel, Steve or Mark Waugh. Players of a certain age picked their man and argued their case after Thursday night net sessions.

In the end, both sides were vindicated. And the Waugh v Waugh arguments certainly vanished after Jamaica, 25 years ago this month, when Steve scored 200 and Mark 126 in Australia’s series-winning and guard-changing innings and 53-run win. More glories awaited Stephen (yes it’s Stephen, as brother Dean told us when he arrived at our Adelaide club from NSW), but the enduring image is of a bloke who bore the standard for the post-World Series generation.