Steve Waugh admits brother's plight affected his game
Australian captain Steve Waugh has admitted pressure on twin Mark adversely affected his own performances during the first two cricket Tests against the West Indies.
Waugh gave an insight into Mark's troubles when revealing his own pride as his brother scored a fighting century in the second Test here on Saturday.
Mark Waugh's 119 relieved some of the strain which he had been experiencing for the last five weeks, giving a clear sign he would not let corruption allegations end his 105-match Test career.
"It was really important for him. He's been under a lot of pressure but he had self-belief," Steve Waugh said Monday.
"I feel more emotions for Mark than other players being brothers and you feel a bit more about what's happening and how he's going.
It's probably affected my game a little bit as well."
"It's not easy going into matches when Mark is under a lot of scrutiny and he's part of the family."
"It's been tough all round but to get a hundred like this against a good quality attack and in difficult circumstances -- I'm really proud of how he's played."
Mark Waugh has denied allegations from an Indian bookmaker that he once accepted 20,000 US dollars in exchange for match information.
He admitted five years ago to accepting 4,000 US dollars, but he said the latest allegation was incorrect, insisting he had nothing more to add to evidence he gave to two previous inquiries into match-fixing.
Mark Waugh has always been viewed differently to Stephen -- rated a less mentally tough player -- but the captain said history would reflect them in a similar light in that regard.
"He's been under intense scrutiny rightly or wrongly and (the century) was a great effort," Steve Waugh said.
"It shows that he has a lot more mental toughness than he's been given credit for over the years.
"I think eventually when our careers end people will recognise that we're both equally mentally tough and both equally talented as well.
We might play games in a different fashion but deep down we're pretty similar."
Mark has walked the tightrope for the last two seasons, ignoring calls for his sacking, but statistics show he has been among Australia's most damaging run-scorers in that period.
During the unbeaten 12-Test world record winning streak Waugh has scored 665 runs at 44.30, placing him fifth on the Australian list.
Steve is second with 766 runs at 51.06 -- including three scores of 150 or better.
Mark will retain the No.4 position when Australia attempts to wrap up the five-match series during the third Test in Adelaide starting on December 15.
With Steve already ruling himself out with a buttock muscle injury, Ricky Ponting will most likely be moved to No.5 with likely replacement batsman Damien Martyn at six.
Mail Cricket Editor
