The Rediff Interview/ Gavin Robertson

'The players will feel that the knife’s edge is a little bit closer to their own cause'

Former Aussie Test player Gavin Robertson is a close friend of Steve Waugh. A talented off-spinner who toured India in 1998, when the Aussies lost the Test series 2-1 to India, he failed to grab opportunities that came his way.

In an email interview with rediff.com, he pointed out that Steve Waugh's sacking from the one-day team bound to do a lot of harm to Australian cricket.

Excerpts:

Do you think the axing of Steve Waugh is a step in the right direction for Australian cricket?

I think we have just sown the seed that may possibly affect our internal confidence.

The confidence that the players once felt, was loyalty and unity in the creation of such a good team; and now the players have witnessed the retrenchment of their leader, they too will feel that the knife’s edge is a little bit closer to their own cause than it once may have been.

What has been Waugh's contribution to the ODI game for Australia?

Steve Waugh put in place the plans for Australia to start chasing the big totals when batting second. Once the Australian team overhauled the Pakistan total in Lahore in the 1998 tri-series final, with Adam Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting leading the charge, they became almost unstoppable with their winning percentage rising up to 63.5 %, which was unheard of in Australian cricket.

Steve has instilled a belief in this team that causes the players internal will to grow and they show a loyalty to him that would have made Sir Donald Bradman proud.

Where does Aussie cricket's plans for ODIs go from here without Waugh?

There will be a considerable effort by the new captain to gain some early wins and points for the selection panel to sit back upon and justify. The players will be a little more reserved in their play and a little uncertain, until somebody stands up early and leads with the conviction of the fallen one.

What has Waugh's contribution been to ODI cricket for Australia and for world cricket?

Steve Waugh has changed the formality of the one-day game and has tried to take the one-day game that is played on the subcontinent around the world for the fans to see.

He has adopted a belief in his players that has paid dividends for not only his team, but also brought about belief and positive cricket in players from other nations.

Do you think Australia needs two captains for different versions of the game?

Having two captains will cause a great problem, because each captain will assert his own authority upon the team meeting and the game plan itself.

Interviews

Mail Cricket Editor