Mark Waugh and Steve Waugh, the legendary twin brothers, have plenty of memorable innings, partnerships and moments together in their long and illustrious careers for Australia. Picking out only five would be tough and debatable but here Dhaka Tribune Sports has tried to pick the top five moments of the Waugh brothers in Australia colors.
Steve dropped, Mark replaces him in Test squad and scores hundred on debut
In 1991 Mark got his first call-up in the Australia Test side. Mark made his debut in 1988 and after scoring plenty of runs in the domestic circuit, he was finally selected for the Test side. But Mark’s selection was a mixed emotion for the Waugh family. Because Mark got the place by replacing brother Steve! Elder twin brother Steve was already a World Cup winning member by then but struggling for form. Anyways, Mark made his Test debut on January 25 in 1991 and guess what, he scored a century! A century on debut, and the rest as they say was history for Mark.
Mark 126, Steve 200 against the West Indies away
After being dropped from the Test side, Steve realized he had to work hard to earn his baggy green cap again. The elder twin later returned to form, earned a call-up to the Test team and established himself as one of the finest batsmen of his generation. Probably the best moment in Test cricket for the Waugh brothers came during the fourth Test match against the Windies in Kingston in April, 1995. The four-Test series was tied on 1-1. Mark scored 126 and Steve 200 in the fourth and final Test as they formed a 231-run partnership for the fourth wicket against a world-class West Indies pace bowling attack. Australia won the series 2-1 and Steve was adjudged man of the series. Later both brothers said in several interviews that those moments were one of the best in their career.
Mark gets run out as runner, Steve remains 99 not out in a Test
Usually these two had very good understanding between them while running between the wickets. But one incident was interesting. Mark was short of the crease after a mix-up with Steve when Steve was unbeaten on 99 in a Test. In Perth in February 3, 1995, Australia were playing against England and Steve was unbeaten on 99 with last batsman Craig McDermott. Actually McDermott was injured and Mark was the runner for him. After forming a 14-run stand for the last wicket, there was a mix-up between Mark and Steve and Mark was run out at he non strikers end. Steve looked shocked as he was on 99!
Australia v New Zealand in 96 WC quarter-final
It was a hot and humid day in Chennai on March 11, 1996. Australia were facing New Zealand in the World Cup quarter-final. The Kiwis posted a challenging 286 on the board batting first riding on a brilliant innings of Chris Harris (130). Back then anything above 250 was a challenging total and chasing 287 in a World Cup quarter-final in such humid conditions was a daunting task for the Aussies. But Mark, who was in brilliant form in that tournament, played one of the best innings and scored 110 off 112 balls. Interestingly he added 86 with brother Steve for the fourth wicket, which was crucial during that chase. Australia were in a difficult situation and Mark looked tired as the Australians had to field 50 overs prior to their chase. But after his brother Steve joined him in the crease Mark increased the tempo of scoring and together they stitched together 86 for the fourth wicket. Mark got out scoring 110 but Steve was there until the end, scoring an unbeaten 59 to finish the job for the Aussies.
Lifting WC together at Lord’s in 1999
These two brothers were world champions together in 1999. Australia defeated Pakistan in the final and Mark’s flying catch at second slip was one of the highlights of the final. Mark was in decent form throughout the tournament. And Steve’s unbeaten 120-run knock was one of the best ODI innings under pressure when Australia were on the verge of being eliminated from the tournament. Lifting the trophy from the Lord’s balcony after winning the 1999 World Cup together is surely be one of the finest moment of the Waugh brothers.
