SOS Tugga!

Note: This was an post i wrote in 2005 after Australia's epic loss against the English in 2005 Ashes. In my opinion this post still makes sense today.

Every Indian cricket fan knows what Kolkota ’01 means! History created, Epic rewritten. Laxman belted Aussies giving Indians the first taste of success in that unforgettable series, nor can we ignore Harbhajan’s magical off spins or Dravid’s stand with laxman. But digging further into the match one heroic act got lost amidst all these success stories. Towards the end of day one on this test Aussies were still struggling to break Harbhajan’s spin maze, reeling at 291 for the loss of eight wickets. There was one man waging a lone battle with number 29 reading against his name in the score books. Known as ‘Tugga’ to his team mates. Stephen Rodger Waugh was stranded at one end with Gillespie to support. The critics and the cricket so called experts predicted Aussies final score to 310. But this man showed his real character exemplifying temperament and experience at the Eden Gardens. He scored a century with a tail ender to support him and resurrected his pride temporarily by guiding Aussies to a respectable 445.

Four years later, Aussies struggling to retain their(?) Ashes at Old Trafford. Aussies are celebrating a draw. Something unheard of for a cricket fan irrespective of the continent he ails from. Batting disaster! Not a century being scored by the Aussie batsman except for their captain in the final innings. Aussie temperament and character is being tested out there in the middle by the English bowlers. The need for a batsman who can stay in the crease and attack at the same time is immediate requirement. The very mention of such a batsman kind reminds us of SR Waugh. A batsman who built the Australian team with his success. Ruthless aggression was the only term known to the Aussies under his captaincy. They conquered everything in this world under him. He intimidated the opposition by his nonchalant demeanor. The man they miss most currently is their former captain.

One another good example Waugh’s temperament is his double century at Sabina Park with his twin brother facing the likes of Walsh and Ambrose. On a wicket like WACA the twins showed laudable temperament and character.

It s high time the Aussies realize the need of the hour. There is no more Tugga to stick around while the other blokes play their aggressive cricket. A lot more maturity is to be shown on the field. A more responsible innings is expected from at least one of them. Ricky Ponting’s 156 in Old Trafford is one such example. But a lot more is required from each one of the batsman in the coming two tests to retain ashes. The English team is not similar to the one faced in 2001 or 1997. They are a lot more matured and talented set of bowlers who can snatch the game from the opposition in one session. The Aussies are made to work for each and every run of theirs. A more meticulous and intelligent batting is expected from them.

Aussies were compared to the highly raw West Indian team under Clive Lloyd. They miss their favorite leader. They clearly lack the inspiration. They are a shadow of their former giant image.