Last match for Waugh twins ?

[pies4ever]

Twin careers closing

By Jon Pierik - Fox


SITTING side by side yesterday for one of the last times as first-class cricketers, Steve and Mark Waugh admitted they may not have achieved as much had they not been fierce sibling rivals.


Their backyard stoushes in suburban Bankstown are legendary and, from a young age, helped instil a desire and determination to succeed in any sport.

"We are lucky that we are obviously twins, we had ready-made opponents no matter what sport we played .. walk out into the backyard and we had someone to play against," Mark said.

"You don't want to let your brother out-do you at whatever you do," added Steve.

"We've played in the same sides all throughout our careers, we spurred each other on to do the best we possibly can," the former Test skipper said.

That competitive streak eventually helped the pair amass more than 50,000 combined first-class runs and more than 450 wickets in 20 years at the elite level. Steve featured in a record-breaking 168 Tests while Mark would manage 128.

Through all first-class matches, Steve has averaged 52.01 with the bat, with Mark a touch behind on 51.98.

"I remember Mike Whitney saying years ago that he thought at the end of our careers we would be pretty much equal in our stats," Steve recalled yesterday.

And so it's proved.

Time, however, stops for no one and, for the Waughs, the alarm on their cricketing clocks will ring for the last time on Sunday - unless NSW beat the odds and slip into the Pura Cup final.

From Thursday, the Blues must defeat arch-rivals Queensland outright in their four-day match to have any hope of reaching the playoff.

They then must rely on surging Victoria keeping home side and second-placed Tasmania pointless in their last game of the home-and-away season.

It promises to be an enthralling climax to the summer.

But if it all ends on Sunday, the brothers are already guaranteed of being remembered in the manner they would like.

"As players who gave 100 per cent every time they walked out on to the field, no matter whether they were playing for Bankstown, NSW, or Australia and probably even in the backyard when we were growing up," Steve said.

There's still a chance of holding aloft the Pura Cup trophy - and their competitive urge, harnessed all those years ago in the family home, will ensure the Blues won't die wondering.

The match will also be an emotional time for Queensland veteran Stuart Law, who - unless the Bulls win outright and advance to the final - will be playing his last game for the state.

cheers bryan..!!

[Donny]

It's quite amazing just how close their first class batting averages are.

Steve: 52.02 Mark 51.98

Steve has scored 23,978 runs with 79 centuries and 96 fifties.
Mark has scored 26,772 runs with 81 centuries and 132 fifties.

As those figures indicate, Steve was better at converting 50s to 100s but Mark scored 50 or better 213 times to Steve's 175. Part of the reason was Mark's later entry to Test cricket which meant he played more non Test (NSW and English county) first class matches than Steve. 52 more.

Steve has had 549 innings with 88 not outs to Mark's 589 with 74 not outs.

Mark's highest score was 229 n.o. and Steve's, 216 n.o. They scored these together during their record (Oz domestic) 5th. wicket partnership of 464 unfinished in Perth in the 1990/91 Sheffield Shield season.

Steve has better bowling figures with 249 wickets @ 32.66 and Mark has 208 @40.95

[Donny]

This morning, before play started, Mark Waugh (on 11 n.o.) needed another 19 runs to better brother Steve's batting average.

Steve declared.

It looks highly unlikely either will get a bat today. In which case their final first class averages will be:

Steve - 52.041

Mark - 52.005

[Donny]

Well, looks like one or both will get another bat as play has got under way and The Bulls declared so NSW are batting.

They've already lose two wickets so here we go. Who's next to bat ? S Waugh and M Waugh.

There's STILL a very outside chance The Blues could make the final but with The Bushies being 3/59 in Hobart, it's remote. Both NSW and Victoria would have to win.

Stay tuned.

[The Prototype]

Loos like Tassie could steal a victory down here they have Victoria 4/80 at Tea. So the last session is going to be a real nail bitter for both teams.

[Donny]

Steve made 9. That brings his total to 24,052 runs @ 51.948

[Donny]

Mark goes past 50 and ensures an average of over 52.

[The Prototype]

Well done to Mark Waugh, now stay there for 13 more overs!! Tassie needs you!!

[Donny]

Mark Waugh scored 72 and finishes with 26,855 runs @ 52.044

[The Prototype]

Pretty well done, good career, shame to see him and his brother retire. But still they were great players for Australia and I wish them well in retirement.